U.S. to impose massive sanctions on Russian oil companies ahead of Trump's inauguration

Ahead of the launch of the second Trump administration, the U.S. government has announced large-scale sanctions on major Russian oil companies, more than 200 individuals and organizations, and 180 oil tankers that secretly transport Russian oil.The U.S. Treasury Department and State Department
said they would limit Russia's revenue from energy sources and weaken its ability to finance an illegal war against Ukraine.

The Treasury first added two Russian-based companies, Gazprom Neft and Surgut Nefte Gas, and more than 20 of its subsidiaries to the sanctions list, while Britain also joined them.

In addition, 183 so-called "shadow fleet" ships secretly exporting Russian and Iranian oil to other countries, as well as Russian ship insurers, traders, oilfield services companies and energy bureaucrats, were also on the sanctions list.

Separately, the U.S. State Department has imposed sanctions on more than 80 organizations and individuals, including companies related to liquefied natural gas production and exports, and the Biden administration has notified the Trump transition team of the sanctions.