The UN Security Council on Feb.12 unanimously adopted a Russia-drafted resolution intended to stem the flow of money to the Islamic State jihadist group, as well as al-Nusra Front (ANF), RIA Novosti reported.
Speaking after the voting, Russia's envoy to the UN Vitaly Churkin said that the adoption of the document is "an extremely important step toward halting financial assistance to terrorists, primarily through illegal oil extraction and (the) oil trade, which in its turn may help counter the terror threat."
The resolution targets the sale of oil exports and objects of cultural heritage from the militant groups, as well as collecting ransoms for hostages.
The resolution also condemns the destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria and calls on all member states "to cooperate closely during incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking committed by terrorist groups."
Islamic State is a jihadist group that captured substantial parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, proclaiming an Islamic caliphate in the areas under its control.
According to various expert estimates, it uses money made from racketeering, oil smuggling and ransoms for hostages, among other sources, to fund its operations in Middle East.
The document was tabled for consideration by the five permanent members of the Security Council last week.