UK announces sanctions against Russia

The UK has announced 56 news sanctions against Russia, in its biggest package of measures since May 2023.

The sanctions target Russia’s military industrial complex in an attempt to restrict the supply of military equipment.

Those sanctioned include suppliers supporting Russia’s military production, Russian-backed mercenary groups operating in Sub-Saharan Africa and a GRU agent involved in the use of a Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury.

The package of sanctions also targets three private mercenary groups with links to the Kremlin, including Africa Corps, and 11 individuals associated with Russian proxies.

Foreign secretary, David Lammy said: "Today’s measures will continue to push back on the Kremlin’s corrosive foreign policy, undermining Russia’s attempts to foster instability across Africa and disrupting the supply of vital equipment for Putin’s war machine. And smashing the illicit international networks that Russia has worked so hard to forge.

"Putin is nearly 1000 days into a war he thought would only take a few. He will fail and I will continue to bear down on the Kremlin and support the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom."