UK sanctions 370 more Russian, Belarusian individuals, entities

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – Britain on Tuesday announced fresh sanctions on 370 more Russian and Belarusian individuals and entities amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

The announcement by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss came immediately after the new Economic Crimes Act became the law of the land after receiving the Royal Assent.

The UK has so far “designated over 1,000 individuals and entities under the Russia sanctions regime since the invasion,” a statement said.

“Today’s designations also include (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s key political allies, regime spokespeople and Kremlin-backed disinformation agencies,” it added.

Tuesday’s sanctions include 51 oligarchs and their family members.

Russian oligarchs now subject to UK sanctions include Mikhail Fridman, Petr Aven and German Khan, and the oligarchs who will be sanctioned today have a combined estimated worth of more than £100 billion ($130 billion), according to the statement.

The UK sanctions include Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and former President Dmitry Medvedev, as well as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

“We are going further and faster than ever in hitting those closest to Putin – from major oligarchs, to his Prime Minister, and the propagandists who peddle his lies and disinformation,” Truss said.

“We are holding them to account for their complicity in Russia’s crimes in Ukraine.”

The UK will “continue to tighten the screw on the Russian economy in the coming days,” Truss added.