UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has today (24 February) announced a new package of internationally coordinated sanctions and trade measures against Russia. The measures include export bans on every item Russia has been found using on the battlefield to date, including aircraft parts, radio equipment, and electronic components that can be used by the Russian military-industrial complex, including the production of UAVs.
Military intelligence has shown that Russia’s lack of components as a result of sanctions is already affecting its ability to manufacture equipment for export, such as armored vehicles, attack helicopters, and air defense systems. As a result, it is highly likely that Russia’s role as a credible arms exporter and its military-industrial complex is being undermined by international sanctions.
New Sanctions and Designations
The sanctions and designations announced today target the individuals and entities at the heart of Putin’s military-industrial complex, including 34 executives connected to Russia’s 2 largest defense companies, Rostec and Almaz-Antey Corporation, a state-owned Russian company specializing in producing surface-to-air missiles and firearms for aircraft. Six Russian entities involved in the manufacture or repair of military equipment for Russia’s armed forces, including aviation and navy, are also being sanctioned as part of today’s package.
Britain is also announcing major new trade measures, weakening Russia’s military machine and cutting Putin’s finances. The UK will ban the import of 140 goods, including iron and steel products processed in third countries, alongside banning exports of products found used by Russia on the battlefield.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has said that trade sanctions are working. Britain’s imports of goods from Russia fell by 99% before the invasion, and exports of goods to Russia fell by almost 80%. Working with G7 international partners, the Department of Trade and Commerce is imposing sanctions to further curtail Putin’s ability to wage war against Ukraine.
Extension of Existing Measures
UK has declared that measures that it had taken earlier against Crimea and the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts are to be extended to the Russian-governed regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, thereby barring them from UK trade and finance.
New Sanctions on Russian Elites
Today’s measures have also increased the pressure on the Russian elite. This includes Mattias Warnig, a close friend of Putin, CEO of Nord Stream 2, and formerly a board member of Russian energy companies Transneft and Rosneft. Lyubov Kabaeva, mother of former Russian gymnast and Duma Deputy Alina Kabaeva who allegedly has a close personal relationship with Putin, and Alexei Dyumin, formerly Putin’s chief security guard who played a key role in the annexation of Crimea, are also sanctioned. Dyumin has been actively involved in supporting the Russian military in Ukraine, including starting and facilitating a drone training school for Russian troops.
The new sanctions also target Alexei Kozak, son of the former Deputy Prime Minister and Putin ally Dmitry Kozak, and 20 executives of Gazprom and Aeroflot, including Gazprom Chairman and former Russian PM Viktor Zubkov and 2 current Russian ministers.
Source: Gov[Dot]UK
