Sweeping new sanctions against the aggressor state
The EU and USA adopt new rounds of restrictive measures against the Russian energy sector. Among the vessels targeted by the EU as part of its 19th Sanction Package are several oil tankers currently located along the coast of Norway.
The 250-metre-long oil tanker Nevskiy Prospect was sailing through the Norwegian Sea as the EU Council adopted the latest European sanctions package against Russia on October 23. The tanker, which used to be part of the fleet of shipping company Sovcomflot, regularly transports oil from the north Russian port of Murmansk. It is among the 117 vessels added to the European Union's sanctions list.
Also the Sabina, a 274-metre-long tanker sailing under Gambian flag, was added to the list. The ship was sailing in Norwegian Arctic waters on October 23. Since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, the Sabina has repeatedly changed its owner and flag state.
Both the Nevskiy Prospect and the Sabina are part of the 'shadow fleet' that operates for the Russian oil industry.
A total of 557 ships are now on the EU's sanctions list. Many of them are sanctioned also by the USA, UK and other countries.
"Today’s package comes in response to Russia’s escalating aggression against Ukraine, in particular the recent brutal military campaign deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy, water and health facilities," a statement from the EU Council reads. "It is becoming increasingly difficult for Putin to finance his war. Every euro we deny Russia is one it cannot spend on war. The 19th package will not be the last," says Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and chair of the Foreign Affairs Council.
A survey compiled by the Barents Observer shows that a significant number of the sanctioned ships have sailed through Norwegian waters en route to or from Murmansk and other north Russian ports. Just in October 2025, at least 20 sanctioned 'shadow fleet' ships sailed along the coast of the Nordic country.
Among them is the Vladimir Vinogradov, a three-year-old oil tanker owned and operated by Rosnefteflot. The Vladimir Vinogradov in late September set out from the Ust-Luga oil terminal in the Baltic Sea towards the Northern Sea Route. By October 23, it had made it into the East Siberian Sea. The tanker, which has ice classification Ice-3, is accompanied by the nuclear-powered icebreaker Sibir, according to ship traffic information.
Rosnefteflot is owned by Putin's state oil company Rosneft.
The oil company, which became Russia's biggest after the illegal takeover of assets previously owned by Yukos, is now under mounting pressure from the international community.
On October 15, the company was added to the UK sanctions list. Just a few days later, the US Treasury announced sanctions against the company, as well as a significant number of other Russian oil producers.
