Russia – European Sanctions Enforcement

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 by Mark Handley

Poland – sanctions enforcement statistics with nearly 2500 cases registered

A lengthy article in the Belarusian Investigative Center on alleged sanctions circumvention regarding Belarusian wood pellets, includes data obtained from the Polish Prosecutor’s office on sanctions enforcement:

187 criminal cases were pending as of mid-2026 for circumvention of sanctions against Belarus and Russia (see our earlier post from May 2026 where the figure was 191);
nearly 2,500 sanctions cases have been registered;
85% of these 2500 cases, or over 2100, concerned Belarus; and
At least 91 criminal proceedings were specifically related to wood-processing products.

June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 by Mark Handley

UK – seizure of shadow fleet tanker “Smyrtos”

On Sunday British armed forces boarded and detained the “shadow fleet” oil tanker Smyrtos.

While British forces have assisted other nations previously, this is the first time that the UK has detained a shadow fleet vessel.

The vessel was in international waters in the English Channel, and the press release refers to UNCLOS Article 110 as giving a power to exercise “a right of visit” where there are reasonable grounds to suspect the vessel is without nationality”.

The vessel is now anchored off the south coast of England.

BBC reporting notes that the vessel claims a Cameroon flag, and that it has changed its flag multiple times since it was designated by the UK in July 2025. The same reporting has added that a 38-year old Indian national has been arrested on suspicion of offences under the UK’s Russian sanctions.

Lloyd’s List, is reporting that Cameroon had previously expelled the Smyrtos from its registry.

Our European Vessel Seizure Tracker has been updated.

June 12, 2026June 12, 2026 by Mark Handley

Belgium – three convicted of Russian sanctions breaches

Reuters is reporting that three individuals have today been convicted of Russian sanctions offences.

The offending involved the shipment of goods for the Russian defence sector via third countries including Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. The goods are described as “sanctioned goods, including rare earths, an explosive detector and a defence-related machine”.

The first defendant, named in the reporting as Victor Labin, was given an €80,000 fine and a five year prison sentence, with one year of that suspended.

The second defendant, reported to be Ruslan Labin, and tried in absentia was sentenced to six years in jail and an €8,000 fine.

The third defendant, named only as P.I., was given a three year sentence, suspended for five years, and an €8,000 fine.

June 10, 2026June 10, 2026 by Mark Handley

Poland – individual fined c. €4.7m for sanctioned luxury car exports to Russia

Poland’s National Tax Administration has issued a press release confirming the imposition of a PLN 20,000,000 (c. €4.7m) fine on an unnamed entrepreneur.

This is separate from another fine of the same amount that was imposed in April on a company for luxury car exports.

The entrepreneur exported 177 cars and one motorbike between January and June 2023 each valued at over €50,000 in breach of the EU’s prohibition against the export of luxury goods to Russia with a total value of over €19m.

My thanks to Dr Marcin Lukowski for pointing me to the announcement.

June 10, 2026June 10, 2026 by Mark Handley

Poland – two charged with sanctioned exports of dual-use goods to Russia

Poland’s ABW (Agency for Internal Security) has issued a press release related to the charging of two individuals, Eduard K. and Krzysztof J., on suspicion of exporting dual use goods to Russia in breach of the EU’s sanctions.

The equipment was a CNC machine tool and a thermal chamber for metalworking. The equipment was purchased in Germany and transported to Poland before being shipped to Turkey for further export into Russia.

The goods were stopped from being exported and the two suspects have been detained since September last year.

The press release notes the availability of a sentence of not less than three years as well as confiscations.

June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 by Mark Handley

Netherlands – Customs launch major investigation into vessel exporting to Russia

It is being reported that Dutch Customs have launched a major investigation includes raids on premises in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, searches on board a container vessel and the arrest and detention of the captain.

The vessel in question routinely sails between St Petersburg and Rotterdam. Dozens of containers on board the vessel have been found with goods suspected of breaching the EU’s sanctions. The containers are said to show signs of attempts to conceal the contents.

Of the goods identified, the containers carried large quantities of car parts which can be used in passenger vehicles as well as trucks. Also found was motor oil.

The same report also indicates that the investigations continue into: i) a company suspected of sanctioned imports of timber (see our earlier post), with the report noting that trial is anticipated in 2027); and ii) the company suspected of supplying goods and services to shadow fleet vessels (see our earlier post).

June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 by Mark Handley

Georgia – arrest of Russian national for extradition to the US to face sanctions charges

It is being reported that Russian national Tatiana Kurashkevich has been arrested and detained on arrival in Tbilisi airport in Georgia.

Detention has been ordered for three months and she faces extradition to the US where she is suspected of a role in the export of aircraft parts to Russian in breach of US sanctions. The maximum sentence in the US is reported to be 70 years.

June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 by Mark Handley

Latvia – trial begins in significant case for the EU’s Russian sanctions

Further to our earlier post, trial has begun today in Riga of Eduard Tsehoval, the former head of the property known as Moscow House, in Latvia.

The prosecution alleges that Moscow House was ultimately owned or controlled by designated persons, Moscow’s Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, or by President Putin in their respective official capacities.

It is alleged that Mr Tsehoval oversaw the continued collection of rent by Moscow House after the imposition of sanctions, thereby making funds available to designated persons.

If the prosecution is successful on the basis of the property being controlled by President Putin, this case could have significant ramifications in the way Russian state-owned property is treated under the EU’s Russian sanctions.

June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 by Mark Handley

Sweden – seizure of detained cargo vessel confirmed with transfer to Ukraine approved

Further to our earlier post, the Swedish courts have ordered the formal seizure of the cargo ship the Caffa. It is alleged that this vessel was used to carry grain from territory formerly controlled by Ukraine and now occupied by Russian forces.

Reuters has also reported that the Court has ruled that title to the vessel may now be transferred to Ukraine on the basis that the alleged behaviour of shipping grain from Ukraine may constitute a war crime under Swedish law.

June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 by Mark Handley

Bulgaria – investigation announced into real estate deal suspected of breaching Russian sanctions

It is being reported that Bulgaria’s Ministry of Justice has ordered an investigation into sales of real estate in Bulgaria by the Russian state enterprise Goszagransobstvennost.

The sales are reported to have been to Valentin Zlatev, former head of Lukoil Bulgaria, and with payment said to have been deferred until the lifting of sanctions.