Canada adds 100 Russia-linked shadow fleet vessels to sanctions list

OTTAWA, March 25, 2026 — Canada announced additional sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, adding 100 more vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations as Foreign Minister Anita Anand met G7 counterparts. The government said the move is intended to counter sanctions evasion and further squeeze the oil and gas revenues that Moscow uses to sustain its war in Ukraine.

Global Affairs Canada said Russia continues to rely on a network of mostly oil tankers and related support structures to move sanctioned goods and commodities, including crude oil, to buyers around the world. By targeting more vessels, Ottawa said it aims to disrupt that network while limiting broader harm to ordinary civilians.

The announcement adds to a broader Canadian campaign against Russia’s maritime sanctions-evasion apparatus. Canada said the latest designations bring the total number of sanctioned shadow fleet vessels to more than 600. The government also pointed to a separate Feb. 24, 2026 amendment to the oil price cap, saying it would continue coordinating with allies to raise the economic cost of Russia’s invasion.

Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 3,400 individuals and entities since 2014 over actions it says undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and involve gross and systematic human rights violations. The latest vessel measures were presented as part of Ottawa’s continuing alignment with partner countries on Russia sanctions enforcement.