The United Kingdom has announced its largest package of new sanctions against Russia's military-industrial complex, intensifying restrictions on the supply of critical equipment needed by the Kremlin for its war in Ukraine, according to the UK government press service.
The sanctions target suppliers supporting Russian military production, pro-Kremlin mercenary groups active in sub-Saharan Africa, and a GRU agent involved in the Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury. These measures directly aim to restrict supplies to the Russian armed forces, particularly of machinery, microelectronics, and drones.
The sanctions also extend to entities in China, Turkey, and Central Asian countries that support Russia’s military needs by supplying equipment for defense manufacturing.
The announcement comes ahead of the European Political Community summit in Budapest, where UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to discuss measures against Russian destabilization efforts in Europe and express continued support for Ukraine.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized:
"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 1,000 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."
These sanctions continue the UK’s mission to counter Russia’s malign activities, which in recent months have included actions against Russia’s “shadow fleet,” use of banned chemical weapons, and pro-Kremlin media outlets spreading disinformation.