On 23 July 2026, the European Union adopted its 21st package of sanctions against Russia.

The 21st package continues the EU's campaign against the so-called "shadow fleet". A further 41 vessels have been designated, bringing the total number of vessels designated by the EU under its Russia sanctions regime to more than 670. The EU has also broadened the criteria for designating vessels involved in sanctions circumvention and expanded restrictions affecting infrastructure used to support Russian energy exports, including ports and refineries.

Importantly, the EU has frozen the Russian crude oil price cap at approximately US$44 per barrel for a further 12 months, preventing an automatic increase that would otherwise have taken effect.

While stopping short of a complete prohibition, the package strengthens restrictions on activities supporting Russian LNG exports. New notification obligations now apply to sales of LNG tankers to third countries, and the European Commission has been tasked with assessing whether further restrictions should be imposed. However, following negotiations among Member States, a one-year exemption has been retained for certain Russian LNG ‘transfer arrangements’ involving exports to third countries.

Commenting on the package, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated:

“With each round of sanctions, we squeeze Russia's economy and its capacity to prolong its illegal war. Our 21st package includes the highest number of listings in four years. We're hitting over a hundred banks and crypto operators, 40+ vessels in Russia's shadow fleet, and several oil refineries in Russia and Belarus. More than 50 military-industrial entities are included, key actors involved in the production of Russia's long-range drones. Russia will only negotiate to end its illegal war and stop killing civilians if it is pressured to do so. Sanctions add to this pressure.”

The 21st package builds upon measures introduced in the EU's 20th package earlier this year, which expanded controls on tanker sales, introduced restrictions relating to Russian LNG and further targeted sanctions circumvention in the maritime sector. 

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