Ukraine has imposed new sanctions against Rosneft, Lukoil, and Russian individuals involved in organizing the systematic destruction of Ukrainians with drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced.
“We are continuing our sanctions work – today there are two new decisions. Ukraine has synchronized sanctions with the US and introduced restrictions against Rosneft, its enterprises, as well as companies that are part of the Lukoil group,” Zelensky said on Telegram.
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According to him, these sanctions are already depriving Russia’s war machine of significant financial resources, and this pressure must continue.
“Ukraine is also introducing sanctions against Russian killers who organize the systematic elimination of Ukrainians with drones,” he added.
Zelensky said he has also identified key priorities for sanctions policy through the end of the year: additional synchronization with international partners, preparation of the EU’s 20th sanctions package, and tougher restrictions on the shadow fleet, Russian military production, collaborators, and propagandists.
According to the Presidential Office website, Zelensky signed two decrees implementing decisions of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
The first decree concerns synchronized sanctions with the US and introduces restrictions on 26 Russian legal entities in the energy sector.
The second decree imposes sanctions on 36 individuals and 13 legal entities linked to the production, training, and operation of Russian drones.
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Among those targeted are individuals connected to the criminal “Rubicon” center, which tests new types of weapons and takes part in combat operations against Ukraine.
Sanctions also target Russian companies involved in developing and producing reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), first person view (FPV) drones, and other unmanned systems.
In October, the US announced sanctions against Russia’s two largest oil companies – Rosneft and Lukoil – in an effort to pressure Vladimir Putin into negotiations with Ukraine. The US measures extend to 36 subsidiary companies as well.
Following the latest US sanctions on the energy sector, Putin has reportedly begun considering an unpopular move: raising taxes inside Russia.
New US sanctions that took effect on Nov. 21 could leave nearly 48 million barrels of Russian crude stranded at sea, forcing dozens of tankers to reroute and reshaping global oil flows, Bloomberg reported.
The US Treasury says the restrictions are already biting: demand for Russian oil is falling, discounts are widening, and Indian refiners are shifting to Middle Eastern suppliers, pushing freight rates to a near five-year high.
Traders are now watching whether buyers will accept Rosneft and Lukoil cargoes already stuck in transit.
Analysts told Bloomberg that while Russia’s export volumes remain high, many shipments aren’t reaching their destinations – a trend that could curb supply if the backlog grows.
Despite the turmoil, Moscow is keeping seaborne exports at about 3.4 million barrels per day, and global prices have barely moved. But analysts warn some barrels may not find buyers as China and India grow more cautious over U.S. secondary sanctions.
Several tankers have already reversed course or diverted to new ports, while others are conducting unusual ship-to-ship transfers. Shipbrokers expect disruptions to last months but say the market will eventually adjust.
The sanctions are also hitting Russian operations abroad. Lukoil has declared force majeure at Iraq’s West Qurna-2 oilfield, and Indian refiners say Russian shipments may soon drop to near zero, with executives warning the new U.S. measures will make future imports almost impossible.