Britain imported no fuels from Russia in June for the first time on record following the imposition of sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, official data shows.
The figure published by the Office for National Statistics comes after the UK moved to sever any reliance on Moscow for its energy needs in the face of Kremlin aggression against its neighbour.
The import of goods also dropped to £33m in June, the lowest level since records began in January 1997, according to the ONS.
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Imports of all commodities fell compared with the monthly average for the 12 months to February, prior to the invasion.
Although exports to Russia rose slightly in June compared with the previous month, their levels have dropped by £168m, some 67%, compared with the monthly average for the 12 months to February.
Exports of most commodities had fallen substantially by June, with machinery and transport equipment plunging by £118m or 91%.
Chemicals were the only commodity exported to Russia that increased over this period, driven by an increase of £39.1m (61.8%) in exports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products, which are exempt from sanctions.
While economic sanctions imposed by the UK are likely to have driven the fall in imports and exports, the ONS point out that so-called “self-sanctioning”, where traders voluntarily seek alternatives to Russian goods, is also likely a factor.
The figures were published as Ukraine celebrated 31 years since it declared independence from the Soviet Union, while it also marked six months since Russia’s invasion began.
