The UK government on Tuesday imposed sanctions against 175 companies linked to an oil network, which the Foreign Office described as a “dark web of illicit oil traders.”

The UK also slapped sanctions on 48 oil tankers in an attempt to further stifle Russian oil revenues on the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. 

“Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet remains a priority for this government, and this latest swathe of sanctions includes 48 oil tankers transporting oil as part of the Kremlin’s desperate attempt to soften the blow of crushing sanctions,” the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said.

“To the Kremlin and those seeking to profit from this illicit trade, the message is clear – Russian oil is off the market.”

Nearly 300 new sanctions have been added to the UK’s sanctions lists, as the government targets entities linked to Russian energy and military production.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government has taken “decisive action to disrupt the critical financing, military equipment and revenue streams that sustain Russia’s aggression.”

The update also lists 49 entities and individuals – including international suppliers that are providing components and technology in Russian drones and other weapons – three civil nuclear energy companies and two individuals connected to overseas nuclear installation contract activity, six targets tied to Russia’s liquefied natural gas sector – including ships, traders and two terminals – and nine Russian banks involved in cross-border payments. 

The UK has now sanctioned over 3,000 individuals, businesses and ships linked to Russia. The Foreign Secretary visited Kyiv where she has also announced £30m in funding to strengthen Ukrainian energy resilience and support recovery, taking the total UK support to £21.8bln since the start of the war.

London asserts that its sanctions are intensifying pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming that his war effort is faltering and government revenues are in free fall.

US President Donald Trump has pushed India to shift away from Russian oil as a condition of a trade deal, while the European Union is debating a broader ban on business supporting Russia’s seaborne crude trade.

On Monday, the European Union failed to agree to its 20th sanctions package against Russia. “We are of course, doing our utmost to have this sanctions package, to push this through,” EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Kaja Kallas told reporters in a press conference on Monday.

“And I have talked to the Member States who are also going to raise this and convince the countries who are blocking. And we are also looking at ways how we can do it. But as we have heard some very strong statements from Hungary, that is why I do not really see that they are going to change this unfortunately today, this position that they have,” she added.