The UK imposed the first sanctions on Thursday against vessels that are believed to be part of Vladimir Putin's shadow fleet, which it says is used by Putin to circumvent Western sanctions in order to continue trading in Russian oil.

The government said that "today's actions include the UK's initial sanctions targeting vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet. These vessels are used by Russia in order to circumvent UK sanctions and G7 sanctions, and continue unfettered trading in Russian oil."

The government announced that the action is part of 50 new G7-coordinated sanctions, which also target suppliers of munitions and machine tools to Russia's military. This includes entities in China, Israel and Kyrgyzstan, as well as Turkey.

In a statement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunder, who was at the G7 Leaders' Meeting in Italy, said that "we are increasing economic pressure today through sanctions in order to bear down on Russia’s ability to finance its war machine."

"Putin has to lose and it is vital that he cannot fund a long-term conflict." (Reporting and editing by William James; Muvija M.)