- 386 members of the Russian Duma designated during latest
round of UK sanctions
- Government places ban on travel and assets in the UK for
those who voted for independence of Luhansk and Donetsk regions
Foreign Secretary has today (Friday 11 March) sanctioned 386 members of
the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, for their
support for the Ukrainian breakaway regions of Luhansk and
Donetsk. The new sanctions will ban those listed from travelling
to the UK, accessing assets held within the UK and doing business
here.
The Russian State Duma ratified treaties in February which
recognised the independence of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions –
part of Ukrainian sovereign territory - and authorised the
permanent presence of Russian military there, acting as a pretext
for Russia’s invasion.
Foreign Secretary said:
We’re targeting those complicit in Putin’s illegal invasion of
Ukraine and those who support this barbaric war. We will not let
up the pressure and will continue to tighten the screw on the
Russian economy through sanctions.
Together with our allies, we stand firmly beside our Ukrainian
friends. We will continue to support Ukraine with humanitarian
aid, defensive weapons and diplomatic work to isolate Russia
internationally.
The designations announced today build on yesterday’s crack down
on key oligarchs from Putin’s inner circle, and the introduction
of new UK powers to detain Russian aircraft and ban the export of
aviation items.
Since Russia’s invasion, the UK has sanctioned more than 500 of
Russia’s most significant and high-value individuals, entities
and subsidiaries, bringing the total now covered by the UK’s
sanctions list to over 800. This includes travel bans and asset
freezes applied to 18 of Russia’s leading oligarchs, with a
combined worth in excess of £30 billion.
Background
This brings the total number of Duma members sanctioned by the UK
to 400.
On 9 March, the Foreign Secretary announced new powers to detain
Russian aircraft in the UK and remove aircraft belonging to
designated individuals and entities from the UK register.
Additional measures banned the export of aviation and
space-related goods and technology, including technical
assistance and prevented UK companies providing insurance and
re-insurance services in relation to these goods and technology.
The Government’s amendments to the Economic Crime (Transparency
and Enforcement) Bill will aim to crack down on corrupt elites
and ramp up pressure on Putin’s regime.