London: UK announces 107 new sanctions announced largest package since the early days of the invasion, the British Foreign Office announced Monday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the package targets Russian military supply chains, revenues fueling Putin's illegal war, and Kleptocrats driving profits for the Kremlin. Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that the action, the largest in almost three years, underscores the UK's commitment to Ukraine. He stated, "Every military supply line disrupted, and every enabler of Putin's aggression exposed is a step towards a just and lasting peace, and towards security and prosperity in the UK as a part of this government's Plan for Change."
The sanctions aim to disrupt Russia's military machine and target entities in third countries that support it, as well as the fragile supply networks it relies on. This includes producers and suppliers of machine tools, electronics, and dual-use goods for Russia's military, based in third countries such as Central Asian states, Turkey, Thailand, India, and China.
Among the targets are North Korean officials, including Defence Minister No Kwang Chol, complicit in deploying over 11,000 DPRK forces to Russia. Additionally, the sanctions target 13 Russian targets, including LLC Grant-Trade and its owner Marat Mustafaev, who have been involved in funneling advanced European technology into Russia to support its illegal war.
The sanctions also specify 40 'shadow fleet' ships carrying Russian oil, which have collectively transported more than USD five billion worth of Russian oil and oil products in the last six months alone. This specification brings the total number of oil tankers sanctioned by the UK to 133, the highest of any nation in Europe.
Moreover, the sanctions target 14 'New Kleptocrats,' some of whom are involved in strategic sectors of Russia's economy. The UK Home Secretary has announced new measures to exclude elites linked to the Russian state from entering the UK. These measures expand the criteria for exclusion to cover Kremlin-linked elites, ensuring that those who provide significant support to the Russian state or owe their significant status or wealth to it can be prevented from entering the UK.