UK sanctions Slavneft, saying it now covers all ten of Russia's top oil producers
On 12 November the UK sanctioned Russian oil company Slavneft, becoming the first country to sanction each of Russia's ten major oil producers. The package lists 20 designations: nine entities and 11 ships.
The United Kingdom on 12 November imposed sanctions on Russian oil company Slavneft, becoming the first country to sanction each of Russia's ten major oil producers, according to Downing Street. The listing is part of a wider package targeting Russia's oil, gas and coal sectors. It matters because oil revenue is a key source of funding for Russia's war economy.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the measures as he arrived at the European Political Community summit in Dublin, which comes after this week's peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Ukraine. "Peace talks on Ukraine have progressed but now is not the time for complacency," he said.
The UK government said in January 2025, when it sanctioned Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, that oil revenues made up roughly a quarter of Russia's 2023 budget.
Who is on the list
The new notice adds 20 designations: nine entities and 11 ships. Besides Slavneft, the entities include petrochemical group Sibur Holding, engineering firm Nipigazpererabotka, coal companies SUEK and Kuzbassrazrezugol, as well as Forteza Trading, Patera and Novus Energy. The UK suspects Novus of dealing with ships already under British sanctions. The list also includes LLC Vostok Oil, which Downing Street describes as Rosneft's flagship Arctic venture. It faces an asset freeze, a ban on trust services, director disqualification and transport sanctions.
Five ships are suspected of carrying Russian oil or oil products to third countries, and five LNG tankers of carrying Russian gas. The eleventh, Koryak FSU, is listed with Novatek as its owner and operator.
How Britain got here
London has widened the list since January 2025. It targeted Rosneft and Lukoil in October 2025 and added Tatneft, Russneft, NNK-Oil and Rusneftegaz Group that December. In October 2026 it listed Zarubezhneft and INK Capital, saying its sanctions covered more than 90% of Russia's oil production capacity. Downing Street did not say which ten companies make up its count.
Enforcement at sea followed. In March the UK allowed its forces to board UK-sanctioned vessels in British waters. In June British forces boarded the shadow-fleet vessel Smyrtos in the English Channel, in international waters, the first UK-led operation of its kind. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said on 12 November that this interdiction has pushed such ships onto other routes.
