**Oil Tankers Halt Operations Amid US Sanctions**
Sixty-five oil tankers have stopped operating in various parts of the world. This comes after the United States and the United Kingdom imposed new sanctions on Russia’s oil industry.
The sanctions targeted over 180 Russian oil-carrying vessels, known as the “shadow fleet”. These ships are often used to evade sanctions. Some of these vessels were also involved in transporting oil from Iran, which is already under sanction.
Experts say that the new measures have driven up the price of non-sanctioned tankers. The latest sanctions also targeted two major Russian oil producers and dozens of their subsidiaries.
**Russian Oil Industry Hit Hard**
The sanctioned companies produce over 1 million barrels of oil daily, generating an estimated $23 billion in revenue each year. The sanctions also extend to several high-ranking energy officials and corporate executives in Russia.
**Escalating Conflict in Ukraine**
Meanwhile, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate. On January 14, Russian forces launched a drone attack on Ukraine’s Air Forces, using 80 Shahed-type drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Ukrainian air defenses shot down 58 of these drones.
**International Response**
The international community is also taking action. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has arrived in Kyiv to discuss further military aid for Ukraine. The US President-elect, Donald Trump, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to meet as the war “hasn’t gone so well” for him.
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