The European Union has broadened its sanctions against Russia, targeting nine individuals and entities linked to the shadow fleet that illegally transports Russian oil. On December 15, 2025, the Council imposed sanctions on five businessmen and four shipping firms, focusing on key figures within a network that conceals the origin of Russian crude oil and engages in risky shipping practices, as described by EU officials.
Notable among those sanctioned is Murtaza Ali Lakhani, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman overseeing vessels carrying Russian petroleum products. The sanctions also affect executives from the 2Rivers Group, including CEO Talat Safarov and shareholder Anar Madatli, identified as significant facilitators of Russian oil shipments. Additionally, Valery Kildiyarov and Etibar Eyyub (also known as Akin Kocak), founder of the Coral Energy network, have been designated due to their roles in systems transporting Russian crude.
The four entities sanctioned consist of Nova Shipmanagement LLC-FZ and Citrine Marine SPC from the UAE, Vietnam’s Hung Phat Maritime Trading, and Russia’s SeverTransBunker Company Limited. These firms manage tankers involved in Russia’s shadow fleet operations and are now subject to asset freezes and travel bans within EU member states. The sanctions, part of a larger strategy to counteract Russian military aggression, now encompass over 2,600 individuals and entities, reflecting the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
