EU Imposes Sanctions on Russia's Ghost LNG Fleet Amid Hybrid Attack Concerns

Photo : Reuters

The European Union announced on Monday the imposition of new sanctions against Russia in response to its ongoing war in Ukraine. These sanctions specifically target Russia's shadow fleet of tankers involved in transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) across Europe, along with several associated companies. The decision, endorsed at a meeting in Luxembourg, reflects growing concerns within the EU about Russia's use of hybrid tactics, including alleged election interference, cyber-attacks, and sabotage.

In a bid to compel Russia to use more expensive routes for energy transport, EU foreign ministers stated their intention to prohibit the reloading of Russian LNG on EU territory for transshipment to third countries. Last year, an estimated 4-to-6 billion cubic meters (141 billion-212 billion cubic feet) of Russian LNG was reportedly rerouted through EU ports to evade sanctions, facilitating continued energy revenue for Moscow amidst international pressure.

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The sanctions package also includes measures targeting ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore transfers, as well as the re-export of LNG to third countries via the EU. Additionally, the EU will ban new investments aimed at assisting Russia in completing ongoing LNG projects. Over 400 entities, including companies in sectors such as military, aviation, and shipbuilding, have been previously sanctioned, alongside political parties, banks, and the Wagner mercenary group.

The updated sanctions list now encompasses scores of new entities, including entities from China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, accused of circumventing EU sanctions or providing sensitive equipment to Russia. More than 50 officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and numerous lawmakers and oligarchs, face asset freezes and travel bans, adding to the existing list of over 1,700 sanctioned individuals.

The EU's response underscores its commitment to countering Russia's hybrid threats, described as actions occurring just below the threshold of military engagement aimed at destabilizing Ukraine and undermining European security. Ministers arriving at the meeting emphasized the necessity of firm action against these activities, highlighting the broader impact on European countries and collective efforts to support Ukraine in the face of ongoing aggression.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen emphasized the multifaceted nature of Russia's actions against European states, including orchestrated campaigns exploiting migrant flows. Lithuanian counterpart Gabrielius Landsbergis noted ample evidence of malign activities by Russia and stressed the need for a clear and robust response to Moscow's escalations.

Separately, the EU imposed sanctions on individuals linked to cyber espionage groups, including the "Callisto group," accused of conducting cyber operations to steal sensitive defense and diplomatic data from EU member states. The measures also targeted members of the "Armageddon hacker" and "Wizard Spider" groups for their roles in hacking activities and disseminating malicious software.

NATO has previously warned of Russian hostility towards member states, citing threats posed by Kremlin actions to allied security. The EU's latest sanctions and coordinated efforts reflect ongoing efforts to address these challenges and reinforce a unified stance against Russian aggression and hybrid warfare tactics.

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