UK hits Russian hackers, GRU officers and firms with new sanctions
Photo: New sanctions against Russia imposed by the UK (Getty Images)
On July 18, the United Kingdom announced sanctions against more than 20 members of Russian intelligence services, including the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (formerly known as the GRU), as well as against Russian hackers and several organizations. These individuals and entities were sanctioned for conducting what the UK described as a "sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity" aimed at destabilizing Europe and Africa, according to the UK government.
Specifically, the sanctions target three GRU units and 18 Russian officers. The UK government accuses them of involvement in a series of criminal activities, including:
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Strikes on Mariupol in 2022;
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The attempted assassination of former intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury in 2018;
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Cyberattacks on media outlets, telecommunications companies, political and democratic institutions, and the UK's energy infrastructure.
"GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens," said UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, commenting on the sanctions.
In addition to the intelligence officers and GRU units, the sanctions also apply to three leaders of the Russian African Initiative project — a fake-news operation that spreads propaganda and conducts information warfare across West African countries.
New European sanctions against Russia
Meanwhile, the European Union has approved its 18th package of sanctions against Russia. The latest measures include a lower price cap on Russian oil, along with a range of new financial and trade restrictions.
In addition, the EU has already begun work on a 19th sanctions package.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also announced that new economic sanctions against Russia are in the works. These will be implemented at multiple levels — both by international partners and within Ukraine's jurisdiction.
