Britain on Monday unveiled a fresh wave of sanctions against dozens of Russian officials, media figures and organisations, intensifying efforts to counter what London described as
Kremlin-backed propaganda, youth indoctrination programmes and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
The new measures focus on entities accused of supporting Russia’s influence operations and activities linked to the war in Ukraine, including programmes Britain says are designed to reshape the identities of Ukrainian children taken into Russian-controlled territories.
Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK has imposed sanctions on more than 3,200 individuals, companies and vessels under its Russia sanctions regime. The restrictions are intended to weaken Russia’s military and economic capabilities while increasing pressure on President Vladimir Putin’s government.
Earlier rounds of sanctions largely targeted Russia’s energy sector, particularly ships and firms involved in oil exports, as Britain and its allies sought to curb Moscow’s revenue streams. More recently, however, London has shifted its attention toward networks and individuals accused of enabling human rights abuses, disinformation campaigns and wartime recruitment efforts.
Last week, Britain sanctioned 35 people and organisations it said were involved in recruiting vulnerable migrants to fight for Russia in Ukraine and in producing drones used in the conflict. Photo by Quistnix, Wikimedia commons.
