Russian Fishing Giant Sues Norway Over Sanctions and Espionage Claims
Vitaly Orlov, the billionaire owner of the Russian fishing company Norebo, has filed a lawsuit against the Norwegian government. The legal action challenges Norway’s decision to ban Norebo vessels from its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and ports, a move taken after the company was included in the EU’s 17th Sanctions Package in May 2025. Norwegian […]
EU Targets Russia’s “Shadow Fleet” and Hybrid Threats
In a significant escalation in late December 2025, the European Union has implemented a series of new measures designed to cripple Russia’s ability to fund its war efforts and to counter non-military destabilization tactics. On December 18, 2025, the EU added 41 vessels to its sanctions list. These ships are part of an opaque network […]
EU Sanctions Former Swiss Colonel Over Russian Propaganda
The European Union has officially included Jacques Baud, a retired Swiss Army colonel and former intelligence analyst, in its latest sanctions list related to the war in Ukraine. The EU describes the 70-year-old Baud as a “mouthpiece for pro-Russian propaganda.” He is accused of spreading conspiracy theories and information manipulation that undermine Ukraine’s stability. Specifically, […]
Brussels Adds New Names To Blacklist In Latest Russia Sanctions Package
European Union ambassadors have approved a targeted sanctions package focusing on two main areas: enforcing the oil price cap through the crackdown on the “shadow fleet” and punishing foreign individuals spreading pro-Kremlin disinformation. To prevent Russia from trading oil below the current G7 price cap ($47.60/barrel), the EU is targeting individuals, which are: Talat Safarov […]
UK Sanctions Russian and Chinese Groups Over Information Warfare
British government has sanctioned several Russian and Chinese organizations accused of undermining the West through cyberattacks and influence operations. Targets include the Russian Telegram channel Rybar (and its owner Mikhail Zvinchuk), the ‘Pravfond’ organization, and Chinese technology companies i-Soon and Integrity Technology Group. Speaking on the centenary of the Locarno Treaties, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper […]
Russia to Ease Crypto Restrictions to Bypass Sanctions
The Central Bank of Russia is considering relaxing its strict cryptocurrency regulations as the country struggles with international payment difficulties caused by extensive Western sanctions. The main debate centers on removing the requirement that individuals be classified as “super-qualified investors” to buy or sell cryptocurrency on Russia’s planned exchange. Currently, only individuals with over 100 […]
US Fines NY Firm $7 Million for Violating Russia Sanctions
The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) penalized a New York-based property management firm, Gracetown Inc., for violating sanctions against Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. According to Bloomberg, The firm accepted approximately two dozen payments between 2018 and 2020 on behalf of a company owned by Deripaska. The Treasury noted that Gracetown had been […]
UK Sanctions Russian Intelligence Agency Following Novichok Inquiry
British government announced significant new sanctions against Russia, specifically targeting its military intelligence agency, the GRU. This decision comes in the wake of a UK public inquiry into the 2018 Novichok nerve agent attack. The public inquiry determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely ordered the 2018 attack on double agent Sergei Skripal. While the […]
US Treasury Pauses Specific Sanctions on Lukoil Operations
The U.S. Treasury Department has authorized Lukoil-branded gas stations located outside of Russia to continue their daily operations, effectively suspending specific sanctions previously placed on the Russian energy giant. According to the Treasury, this decision is designed to “mitigate harm” to local consumers and suppliers who rely on these stations for ordinary transactions. While the […]
UK Delays Imposing Sanctions on Lukoil International Until February
The UK government has officially delayed the enforcement of sanctions against Lukoil International GmbH, the international unit of the Russian energy giant Lukoil PJSC. The UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) announced that sanctions against Lukoil International and its subsidiaries will now come into effect on February 26. They were originally scheduled to begin […]