Ukraine sanctions 656 maritime vessels in largest package for financing Russia’s war

According to the decree on the President’s website, Ukrainian sanctions against 656 maritime vessels used by the Russian Federation to finance its war against the Ukrainian people are imposed.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on social media that today, on December 13, Ukraine’s sanctions against 656 maritime vessels used by the Russians to finance the war have come into force.

“This is a significant part of the Russian fleet that transports oil and other energy resources, generating revenue to prolong the war. This is the largest sanctions package specifically against tankers and other vessels that serve the aggression. The package includes vessels sailing not only under the Russian flag but also under the flags of other states — specifically, over 50 jurisdictions,” Zelenskyy stated.

According to the President, Ukraine will work to ensure that each of these vessels, every ship-owning company, and the entire infrastructure of Russian oil and energy exports are also blocked by partner countries.

“We support the concept of a total ban on the provision of maritime services to vessels involved in the export of Russian energy resources. Pressure on Russia and diplomacy to end the war must go hand in hand to achieve the necessary result. Russia must end the war it started and is prolonging,” he added.

By way of background, on December 10, 2025, the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine reported that law enforcement officers detained a foreign vessel in Odesa that was part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” and illegally transported Ukrainian agricultural products from temporarily occupied Crimea. A dry cargo ship arrived in Odesa flying the flag of an African country to export a shipment of steel pipes.