Posted By: GEO´ Newsteam - Gibraltar

GEOPoliticalMatters.com

The move comes on the heels of reports that Russia has been "barbarically" targeting civilians in those regions.

Individuals sanctioned include Alexander Ananchenko and Sergey Kozlov, self-styled Prime Minister and Chair of Government of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.

Further family members of Russian oligarchs have been targeted today as the UK government Sanctions Pavel Ezubov, cousin of Oleg Deripaska, and Nigina Zairova, Executive Assistant to Mikhail Fridman.

In total the government is sanctioning 206 individuals today, including the 178 separatists, six oligarchs, close associates and employees, and an additional 22 individuals through the urgent procedure. Since the unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine began in February, the UK has sanctioned over 1,400 individuals and businesses – including over 100 oligarchs and family members.

The announcement comes ahead of the laying of secondary legislation in Parliament tomorrow (Thursday 14 April), which will ban the import of iron and steel products as well as the export of quantum technologies, advanced materials and luxury goods. These new measures target key revenue sources for Putin’s war machine and thwart Russia’s military ambitions.

The Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: "In the wake of horrific rocket attacks on civilians in Eastern Ukraine, we are today sanctioning those who prop up the illegal breakaway regions and are complicit in atrocities against the Ukrainian people. We will continue to target all those who aid and abet Putin’s war."

The UK has led the international sanctions effort, cutting off whole sectors of the Russian economy by targeting its defence companies, its trade and transport sector, and working with allies to exclude Russia from the SWIFT financial system. Learn More /...Click Here to receive our full Analysis direct to your inbox or Smart device