The UK will ban its firms from providing shipping or insurance services for Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports starting in 2026, aiming to curb Moscow’s fossil fuel revenues that fund its war against Ukraine.

While Britain and the EU banned direct imports of Russian LNG years ago following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western companies have still been allowed to transport and insure Russian gas bound for other markets - a gap campaigners have fought for years to close.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the move at a G7 meeting in Canada, describing it as a coordinated effort with the EU, which plans to phase out Russian LNG imports under long-term contracts by early 2027. 

Britain banned direct imports in 2023, but its maritime and insurance sectors have continued to handle shipments from Russia’s Yamal terminal.

Campaigners welcome the move, urge faster action

A recent report by the Ukrainian group Razom We Stand identified Glasgow-based Seapeak Maritime as having facilitated about 4 million tons of Russian LNG in the first half of 2025 - nearly 40 percent of exports from Yamal. The group said the UK’s new measures mark a long-awaited success after more than three years of advocacy.

“The government’s move is a long-overdue and welcome step,” said Razom We Stand founder Svitlana Romanko. “But the UK must not slow-walk the phase-out, and Prime Minister Starmer should immediately cancel the indefensible energy contract with TotalEnergies - a firm still collaborating with Russia and helping raise billions for its war machine.”

Razom We Stand also urged London to align with upcoming G7 and EU sanctions and to consider secondary sanctions targeting Russian LNG exports and the shadow fleet that carries them.

Coordinated Pressure on Russia’s Energy Sector

Western allies have increasingly targeted Russia’s remaining energy revenues as oil price caps and pipeline gas embargoes lose impact. The G7 is discussing further restrictions on LNG transshipment and the use of Western shipping insurance - key pressure points in global trade. 

By joining these measures, the UK seeks to limit Russia’s ability to reroute gas through intermediary countries and close off financial channels that have helped sustain its war economy.

Cooper said the UK’s approach “shows unity with our partners in cutting off Russia’s access to the revenues it uses to wage this illegal war,” adding that London “will keep tightening sanctions until Putin ends his aggression.”

Canada has unveiled a new package of sanctions designed to strike at Russia’s energy revenues, military suppliers, and digital warfare infrastructure, according to the Canadian Government. The measures form part of a wider G7 strategy aimed at raising the economic cost of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now approaching its fourth year.

Canada adds new wave of sanctions against Russian vessels, drone developers, and cyber enablers

On 12 November 2025, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced a sweeping expansion of sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. The updated list targets 13 individuals and 11 entities, many of them directly involved in supplying or developing military and hybrid warfare tools used by Russia in its ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

• For the first time, Canada imposed sanctions on Russian entities that support cyber infrastructure tied to Moscow’s hybrid operations. The government also sanctioned several developers and operators linked to Russia’s drone program.
• In addition, the new sanctions hit several Russian liquified natural gas companies. Ottawa stated that energy revenue continues to play a major role in financing Russia’s war of aggression.
• Another key component of the sanctions package is the inclusion of 100 Russian ships. Described as part of Moscow’s “shadow fleet,” these vessels have been used to transport "goods and property for the benefit of Russia" or Russian-linked persons. Canada previously sanctioned over 400 such vessels as part of earlier actions coordinated with its allies.

Minister Anand said Canada remains “unwavering in its commitment” to Ukraine’s sovereignty and will continue to apply pressure until Russia halts its invasion. The announcement aligns closely with sanctions introduced in October by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

Measures part of long-term sanctions strategy

The Canadian Government described the move as a direct response to Ukraine’s current priorities on the battlefield and as reinforcement of the G7’s coordinated pressure campaign. The update also signals Ottawa’s continued alignment with G7 member states on sanctions policy and military support.

Ukraine is paying a terrible price for its resistance to Russia's genocide war and occupation. On the night of 8 November, all of Ukraine came under fire. The Russian army launched over 450 attack drones and 45 missiles, targeting residential buildings and energy infrastructure across the country.

According to Centrenergo, a company supplying electricity to central and eastern Ukraine, its three thermal power plants have been forced to shut down following the attacks. Eight regions are facing widespread power outages, and in Kyiv, residents are left without electricity for up to 12 hours a day.

In Dnipro, a drone strike on a residential building killed three people. 

“More pressure on Moscow”: Zelenskyy calls for stronger sanctions

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attacks must trigger a unified global sanctions response.

“Every strike by Moscow on our energy sector must be met with sanctions on the entire Russian energy sector, without exception. Nuclear energy, the military-industrial complex, and trade in oil and gas must all be under sanctions," Zelenskyy claimed. 

He emphasized that the world must act on frozen Russian assets and increase support for Ukraine to prevent the Kremlin from destroying the country’s civilian energy system before winter.

25 ballistic and seven hypersonic missiles

According to Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat, Russia used a record number of ballistic missiles in this latest strike, per 24 Channel. 

“Twenty-five Iskander-M/KN-23s and seven Kinzhal missiles. A total of 32 missiles followed ballistic trajectories. This is Russia's new tactic," he said. 

The main strikes hit the regions of Kharkiv, Kyiv, Poltava, Dnipro, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Odesa.

Largest national oil and gas company says Russia wants to freeze Ukrainians 

Naftogaz CEO Serhii Koretskyi said the 8 November strike was the ninth deliberate attack on civilian gas infrastructure since early October. 

“This is yet another act of terrorism aimed at depriving Ukrainians of gas, heat, and electricity during the winter," said the head of the the largest national oil and gas company of Ukraine.

Ukraine strengthens energy ties with the West

On the eve of the strikes, Ukraine signed an agreement to import US liquefied natural gas (LNG) via Greek terminals. According to the Ministry of Energy, the deal represents a long-term partnership through 2050, ensuring stable gas supplies and integrating Ukraine into European energy routes.

“We are building a resilient system for the delivery and storage of American gas to prevent Moscow’s energy blackmail,” said Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk.

Russia’s deadly winter offensive tests the world

The Kremlin is now operating even more clinically and cynically than before. Russian capabilities and tactics are evolving faster than Ukraine can improve its air defenses, both missile interceptions and electronic warfare measures around sensitive sites. It appears this winter will be a test of endurance like no other.

The Kremlin has changed the way it is terrorizing Ukrainians when temperatures are going low, by concentrating on specific regions, striking in waves, and using new variants of cheap Shahed drones.

The drones are also attacking differently, approaching from near‑vertical trajectories and flying above the effective range of machine guns, almost like missiles.

Beyond the cost of damaged infrastructure, recent attacks are forcing Ukraine to spend a staggering $1.9 billion on imported gas.

Experts warn that this winter could be one of the toughest in Ukraine’s history. The world’s response will determine whether the aggressor can be contained or whether the global community allows the destruction of sovereign nations by force. 

Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz has signed a memorandum with Greek firm Atlantic-see LNG Trade on regular deliveries of American liquefied natural gas through Greek terminals, Naftogaz Group head Serhiy Koretskyi announced.

"We are talking about future regular supplies of American gas to Ukraine through Greek gas terminals and the Vertical Corridor," Koretskyi explained.

The long-term partnership covers the period until 2050. The memorandum was signed at the P-TEC forum in the presence of Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk, Greek Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, and US Chargé d'Affaires in Ukraine Julie C. Davis.

According to Koretskyi, the agreement will ensure stable LNG supplies for Ukraine and integrate the country's infrastructure into logistics routes for LNG to Europe. The memorandum also creates a sustainable system for supplying and storing American gas.

The strategic partnership aims to diversify routes for American LNG deliveries to Ukraine and Europe through phased implementation of new projects.

In October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy planned to request gas and air defense systems from US President Donald Trump during their meeting on 17 October.

The European Union approved its 19th sanctions package against Russia, including a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports, Reuters reports. Slovakia was the final member state to lift its objection after securing assurances on energy prices and climate policy.

Slovakia drops holdout after securing guarantees

Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico held up the package for days. He demanded commitments from the European Commission on high energy prices. He also wanted climate targets aligned with carmaker and heavy industry needs. A Slovak diplomat told Reuters the country's demands were met. New clauses were added to the final communiqué for the EU leaders summit today, on 23 October.

The Danish rotating presidency of the EU announced the breakthrough on 22 October. The presidency launched a written approval procedure. If no member state objects, the package will be adopted by 8 a.m. today.

Russian LNG ban rolls out in two phases

The LNG ban will take effect in two stages. Short-term contracts will end after six months. Long-term contracts will continue until 1 January 2027. The full ban arrives a year earlier than the Commission's proposed roadmap. The roadmap aimed to end the bloc's reliance on Russian fossil fuels.

Shadow fleet crackdown expands significantly

The new package lists 117 more vessels from Moscow's shadow fleet. Most are tankers used to evade sanctions. This brings the total number of listed vessels to 558. The package also adds new travel restrictions on Russian diplomats. It targets banks in Kazakhstan and Belarus, the presidency said.

EU diplomatic sources told Reuters that four entities linked to China's oil industry will also be listed, including two oil refineries, a trading company, and an entity helping circumvent sanctions.

Yesterday, the US has also imposed the first batch of new Russian sanctions in months.

Russia is making another attempt to expand its exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) after U.S. sanctions disrupted production at its flagship Arctic LNG 2 plant, Bloomberg reported on June 28.

Arctic LNG 2, owned by the Russian company Novatek, was envisaged as Russia's largest LNG plant and aimed to produce almost 20 million metric tons of LNG per year. The U.S. State Department targeted the Arctic LNG 2 project with sanctions in 2024.

An LNG vessel has reportedly docked at the Arctic LNG 2 facility for the first time since October, according to ship-tracking data and satellite images analyzed by Bloomberg. Data suggests that at least 13 vessels of Russia's "shadow fleet" have been assembled to potentially serve Arctic LNG 2.

These include four ice-class vessels, including the one currently docked at Arctic LNG 2. Three others are idling in the Barents Sea, along with three traditional LNG vessels. Two more vessels are being repaired in China and another two are idled in the Gulf of Finland. One ship is located near a floating storage facility in Russia's Far East.

While pipeline shipments of Russian gas to Europe have declined sharply since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia's shadow fleet — a group of aging oil tankers used to circumvent global sanctions — continues to grow.

Moscow now has more vessels at its disposal than it did last year, according to Malte Humpert, founder of the Arctic Institute think tank.

"If (Russia) can find buyers, this small fleet should be sufficient to lift cargoes," Humpert told Bloomberg.

Finding buyers may present a difficulty, due to wariness about sanctions violations. Former U.S. President Joe Biden sanctioned ships and companies connected with exports from Arctic LNG 2 in 2024, thought it is not yet clear if U.S. President Donald Trump will enforce sanctions as strictly.

Representatives of Arctic LNG 2 have continued to search for buyers in China and India, but have not yet made any sales, traders familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

Arctic LNG 2 cut production from its gas fields to almost zero in November 2024, after halting liquefaction the previous month due to Western sanctions. The U.S. sanctioned two vessels and two entities connected to Arctic LNG 2 in September 2024, after previously targeting the project in a sweeping round of sanctions late August.

The August sanctions likely forced Novatek to scale back its operations at the facility. Novatek itself was sanctioned after the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022.

Despite escalating war plans, Putin claims Russia will cut military spending starting in 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on June 27 that Moscow plans to cut its military expenditure beginning next year, in a rebuke of NATO members’ plans to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.

The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat