The British government has put sanctions on Russian military leaders and businesses amid the war between Russia and Ukraine which was initiated by Moscow. The UK has imposed 26 sanctions on Russia which target both the generals “committing atrocities on the front line” and individuals and businesses supporting Putin’s military.
Those targeted by the sanctions include Lt Colonel Azatbek Omurbekov, Colonel General Andrey Serdyukov, Major General Valery Flyustikov, and Colonel-General Nikolay Bogdanovsky.
Also targeted are Oleg Belozyorov, the CEO and Chairman of vital logistics company Russian Railways, and Ilya Kiva. Another 19 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s military and defence capabilities have also been targeted.
Foreign secretary Liz Truss said: “The depravity of Russia's assault on the people of Ukraine is plain for all to see. They are deliberately targeting hospitals, schools, and transport hubs in Mariupol and beyond – just as they did in Chechnya and Syria.
“The UK is unyielding in our support for Ukraine and in holding Putin and his regime to account. Today's new wave of sanctions hits the generals and defence companies that have blood on their hands.”
Meanwhile, Russia on 24th February launched the war on Ukraine. And, according to the latest updates, Volodymyr Zelensky has said the situation in Mariupol is deteriorating with roughly 1,000 civilians remaining trapped in the Azovstal steel plant with the remaining fighters who are heavily outnumbered. However, Ramzan Kadyrov, an ally of Vladimir Putin, said he believed Russian forces would be in complete control of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol “before lunchtime, or after lunch” on Thursday. Also, Ukraine is working to convince western allies to shift Russia’s shipments of natural gas from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Ukraine’s pipeline, increasing Kyiv’s leverage, energy officials told Reuters. And US President Joe Biden is set to announce plans on Thursday to send additional military aid to help Ukraine fight back against the Russian invasion, according to a US official.