- Kremlin imposed 'officials' in Luhansk and Donetsk sanctioned
- Russia's Minister and Deputy Minister of Justice, who are supressing their own people, sanctioned
- Sanctions on two nephews of major Russian oligarch
- UK targets Syrian individuals undermining Ukrainian territorial integrity
The UK Government has today (26 July) sanctioned Vitaly Khotsenko and Vladislav Kuznetsov, the Russian-imposed Prime Minister and First Deputy Chairman of the so-called 'Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics', for undermining Ukrainian territorial integrity. Khotsenko and Kuznetsov have been sent to implement Russia's policies across the invaded region, supporting Putin's plans to illegally annex more of Ukraine and use sham referendums to falsely legitimise their occupation.
29 regional governors from across Russia have also been sanctioned today. The governors have been directed by the Kremlin to transfer funds to the so-called 'Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics', facilitating the Russian occupation in attempting to wrest territory from Ukraine.
The Russian Minister of Justice Konstantin Chuychenko and Deputy Minister of Justice Oleg Sviridenko are also being sanctioned today. The pair are suppressing their own people by targeting those speaking out against the war. They are expanding their power to repress Russian citizens' freedom of speech by signing a new law that expands the criteria for "foreign agents" to include anyone who the authorities declare to be "under foreign influence". Those found guilty will be branded as criminals and will be barred from receiving state financing, teaching at state universities, working with minors, or providing expertise on environmental issues.
Also sanctioned today are Sarvar and Sanjar Ismailov, nephews of major Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov who has close ties to the Kremlin. Both Sarvar and Sanjar have significant interests in the UK, it is believed that they own homes in Highgate and Hampstead Heath.
The Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:
We will not keep quiet and watch Kremlin-appointed state actors supress the people of Ukraine or the freedoms of their own people.
We will continue to impose harsh sanctions on those who are trying to legitimise Putin's illegal invasion until Ukraine prevails.
In coordination with the EU, the UK is also targeting two groups of Syrian individuals. One group is responsible for recruiting Syrians to fight in Russia's war in Ukraine, while the other is supporting the repressive Syrian regime - perpetuating and benefitting from Putin's agenda of international turmoil.
Today's sanctions build on the UK's hard-hitting sanctions package on Russia which includes designations on more than 1100 individuals and more than 100 entities. Additional powers have also recently come into force, including the prohibition of new UK investment into Russia, the banning of Russian gold from the UK's world-leading bullion market, and further expanding of the criteria for who can be sanctioned.
