UK imposes largest package of sanctions against Russia, Iran, Belarus over war in Ukraine

It is announced that 25 new sanctions are aimed at restricting Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's access to foreign military equipment.

Some of the individuals and entities subject to sanctions are located outside of Russia. They support its illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Those affected by the restrictions include:

• 2 Turkey-based businesses, Turkik Union and Azu International, for their role in exporting microelectronics to Russia that are essential for Russia’s military activity in Ukraine

• Dubai-based Aeromotus Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Trading LLC, for its role in supplying drones and drone components to Russia

• Slovakian national Ashot Mkrtychev, for his involvement in an attempted arms deal between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Russia

• Swiss national Anselm Oskar Schmucki, for his role in Russia’s financial services sector, including through working as Chief of the Moscow office of DuLac Capital Ltd

Sanctions against Iran and Belarus

"We are also taking further action to tackle Iran and Belarus’ support for Russia’s military. The UK has previously imposed sanctions on Belarus for continuing to actively facilitate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine," Cleverly stated.

The secretary also noted Iran’s destabilizing role in global security, including through sanctions against Iranian suppliers of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) used by Russia to target Ukrainian civilians.

The sanctions target:

• Iranian individuals and entities involved in the research, development and production of UAVs for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

• Belarusian defense organizations linked to the manufacturing of military technology for the Belarusian regime, which has directly facilitated Putin’s illegal war

• 3 Russian companies operating in the electronics sector for their role in procuring UK-sanctioned Western microelectronics that are essential for sustaining Russia’s conflict in Ukraine

Efforts to implement new sanctions will continue

Cleverly noted that the UK will continue working together with international partners to prevent third parties supplying weapons and welcome stronger action to clamp down on rogue military supplies and sanctions circumvention.

"The UK is committed to maintaining international efforts to ensure sanctions are effective, investigate activities that support circumvention and act accordingly," the minister added.

UK sanctions against Russia

At the end of July, the UK introduced new sanctions against Russian citizens. This move was in response to the Kremlin's actions against Russian oppositionist Vladimir Kara-Murza.

Prior to this, the UK expanded sanctions against Russians, adding those connected to the Wagner Group to the blacklist.