The UK has imposed a new round of sanctions on Russian individuals and organisations accused of carrying out cyber attacks and hybrid operations designed to destabilise Europe.
The measures, announced on Monday, target 24 people and entities that the British government says are responsible for malicious cyber activity, disinformation campaigns and other operations linked to Russia's intelligence services.
In a statement, the government said the sanctions were aimed at those behind "destructive cyber and hybrid operations", including cybercriminals operating through proxy networks connected to Russian military intelligence.
Among those sanctioned are senior figures from Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU. The UK said Vyacheslav Stafeyev, Ivan Senin and Ivan Kasyanenko played leading roles in directing cyber and hybrid threat operations attributed to the agency.
British ministers said the move forms part of a broader effort to counter cyber threats targeting European governments, businesses and critical infrastructure. Officials have repeatedly accused Russian state-backed groups of attempting to spread disinformation, undermine democratic institutions and disrupt public services across Europe.
The sanctions were introduced in coordination with the European Union, reflecting growing cooperation between Western allies in responding to what they describe as an escalating campaign of hostile cyber activity by Moscow.
Those sanctioned could face asset freezes and travel bans, while UK businesses and individuals will be prohibited from making funds or economic resources available to them.
Russia has consistently denied carrying out offensive cyber operations against Western countries. Its embassy in London did not immediately comment on the latest sanctions. Photo by Pavel Kazachkov, Wikimedia commons.
