UK announces new package of sanctions against Russia

The UK announced this Wednesday a new package of sanctions against Russian military personnel and individuals close to the Kremlin who will be involved in a military offensive against Ukraine.

In total, six companies supplying military equipment such as “drones” were hit, as well as eight people and a company associated with financing the regime.

Wednesday’s announcement coincides with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the UK to meet with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and address parliament.

Sanctioned companies include CST, a manufacturer of Russian drones used to destroy Ukrainian military vehicles, RT-Komplekt, which produces parts for helicopters used in Russia, Oboronlogistics, which organizes the transportation and delivery of Russian military equipment, or Topaz , a software company involved in military aviation.

The sanctions list also includes several people linked to Putin “through opaque financial networks,” namely businessmen and civil servants such as Boris Titov and his son Pavel, Nikolai Yegorov, Sergei Rudnov (owner of the pro-Kremlin newspaper Regum), Svetlana Krivonogikh, Victor Myachin, Alexey Repik and Evgeny Shkolov.

“These new sanctions increase economic pressure on Putin, weakening his military machine to help Ukraine overcome threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity once and for all,” Treasury Secretary James Cleverley said in a statement.

The UK has imposed sanctions on over 1,300 individuals and entities since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, as well as economic sanctions in coordination with international partners.

The measures included more than £20bn (€22.5bn) of total or partial trade, cutting exports of machinery and transport equipment by 98%, the Foreign Office said.

So far, the UK has provided £2,300m (€2,600m) in military aid and £1,500m (€1,700m) in economic and humanitarian support.