UK further sanctions Putin's inner circle

The UK has announced new sanctions against people with links to Putin's inner circle.

The announcement comes nearly a year on from the death of Alexei Navalny.

The sanctions target high-profile figures working in the Russian Government, including Pavel Fradkov, a Russian Defence Minister and Vladimir Selin, who heads up an arm of the Russian Ministry of Defence. Also sanctions is Artem Chaika, whose extractives company supports Russian state-owned business.

Two entities linked to Russia’s nuclear energy giant Rosatom have also been sanctioned, which are supporting Russia's military activity in Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "I am announcing further sanctions to keep up the pressure on Putin. Ukrainians are fighting for their country’s future and the principle of sovereignty across Europe at the frontline.”

"Nearly a year on from the death of Alexei Navalny, I am honoured to meet with Yulia Navalnaya and make clear our commitment to weaken Putin’s attempts to stifle political opposition and crack down on the Kremlin’s corrupt dealings globally.

"We are calling on our friends and allies to continue to step up in the face of ongoing Russian aggression."