Australia announces sanctions against Russia’s “shadow fleet”

Australia has strengthened sanctions against Russia ahead of the fourth anniversary of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

This was stated in a joint statement by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Defense Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

On 24 February 2026, the Australian government imposed additional targeted sanctions against 180 individuals, entities and vessels of the “shadow fleet” associated with Russia, which is our largest sanctions package since February 2022.

These new sanctions target Russia’s financial and banking sectors, defense, aviation, oil and gas, transport and science and technology industries. They are designed to reduce Russia’s revenues and further limit its ability to continue its illegal and brutal invasion, the statement said.

The banking and financial sectors facilitate the procurement of technology and equipment needed by Russia to support the invasion, while the oil and gas and transportation sectors generate revenue for the Russian government. Russia’s aviation and defense sectors are crucial to the development of Russia’s military capabilities.

Sanctions against the “shadow fleet” vessels are designed to deprive Russia’s military economy of revenue.

For the first time, Australia has also targeted cryptocurrency entities that allow cross-border payments to facilitate the circumvention of sanctions that support Russia’s military operations.

USM previously reported that Ukraine had imposed new sanctions on the captains of tankers carrying Rosneft.