UK imposes sanctions after Russia-DPRK ‘arms-for-oil’ trade

The UK and international partners have announced a new package of sanctions to target Russia and North Korea's 'arms-for-oil' partnership.

The sanctions target three companies and one individual and include measures such as asset freezes, travel bans and transport sanctions.

Those sanctioned include DPRK company Paekyangsan Shipping Co Ltd, which operates DPRK-flagged vessel Paek Yang San 1, which is believed to be involved in the facilitation of DPRK military programmes by transferring petroleum products between Russia and DPRK.

Toplivo Bunkering Company (TBK) and company director Aleksey Mikhailovich Vorotnikov, are sanctioned for allowing vessels involved in the transfer of petroleum to DPRK to bunker in the Russian port of Vostochny, along with Vostochnaya Stevedoring Co LLC,operating from the port of Vostochny, which is a prominent Russian provider of cargo services within the Russian transport industry.

Aleksey Mikhailovich Vorotnikov will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban, Paekyangsan Shipping Co Ltd subject to an asset freeze and transport sanction, and Toplivo Bunkering Company is subject to an asset freeze. Vostochnaya Stevedoring Co LLC is subject to an asset freeze and trust services sanction.

UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: "Putin is straining every sinew to sustain his illegal war in Ukraine, even resorting to illicit ‘arms-for-oil’ trade deals with the DPRK, blatantly violating UN sanctions that Russia itself voted for, and vetoing UN Monitoring panels that report on their activity.

"We cannot – and we will not – stay silent as the DPRK and Russia engage in arms transfers. The UK will continue to hold the DPRK and Russia to account. We will work with our partners to protect the global non-proliferation regime and international peace and security."