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UK and Australia Unveil Largest Russia Sanctions Since 2022 to Mark 4th Full-Scale Invasion Anniversary
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The UK and Australia have significantly expanded their sanctions against Russia to mark the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, which began in 2022. According to government press releases on February 24, the new measures enforce both nations' ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine and isolating the Kremlin.
The UK announced its largest sanctions package since the early stages of Russian full-scale invasion, targeting Russia’s oil exports, critical military suppliers, and shadow fleet operators, while also imposing new restrictions on Russian banking and gas industries.
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The UK’s sanctions focus on the heart of Russia’s military financing, aiming to disrupt oil revenues and limit military capabilities. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that these measures are part of the UK’s broader effort to deprive Russia of resources vital to its war machine. The UK also reaffirmed its support for Ukraine with an additional £30 million ($40 million) to strengthen energy resilience.
Australia, on the same day, also unveiled a massive sanctions package, targeting 180 individuals and entities, including those involved in Russia’s oil, gas, defense, and transportation sectors. This, too, marks Australia’s largest single sanctions package since the Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed that these sanctions are designed to reduce Russian revenues and constrain its military operations, specifically through actions aimed at Russia’s shadow fleet and cryptocurrency entities facilitating sanctions circumvention.
Australia has also adjusted its Russian oil price cap to further undermine Russia’s oil revenue, with a coordinated effort with international partners.
Both nations have pledged continued support for Ukraine, with Australia committing over $1.7 billion, including $1.5 billion in military aid, and the UK providing extensive military and humanitarian assistance. Together, these actions show a unified push to weaken Russia’s war capabilities while urging for a just and lasting peace, with Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at the forefront.
Earlier, Australia and New Zealand had joined the PURL program supplying weapons and equipment to Ukraine.
“Burden sharing is now much better than it was, say, four or six weeks ago. And the fact that now even New Zealand and Australia, which are not NATO members but are close partners of the alliance through the Indo-Pacific region, have also committed to [participate in PURL]. This is really great news, and it gives us a stable flow of weapons to Ukraine from the necessary US stocks,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
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