UK announces new sanctions targeting Putin's access to foreign military supplies

The UK is targeting Russian president Vladimir Putin's access to foreign military supplies by imposing 25 new sanctions on individuals and businesses.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the action will "further diminish" Russia's arsenal and shows there is "nowhere to hide" for those assisting the illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Those sanctioned include companies based outside Russia but said to be supplying drones and microelectronics to Mr Putin's defence industry, the Foreign Office said.

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Sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans.

Those targeted by the latest UK action include: two Turkey-based businesses said to be exporting microelectronics to Russia; a Dubai-based firm said to be a supplier of drones and drone components to Russia; and a Slovakian national said to be involved in an attempted arms deal between North Korea and Russia.

Further action has also been taken in response to support from Iran and Belarus for Russia's military.

'Putin's now-struggling defence industry'

Mr Cleverly said: "Today's landmark sanctions will further diminish Russia's arsenal and close the net on supply chains propping up Putin's now-struggling defence industry.

"There is nowhere for those sustaining Russia's military machine to hide.

"Alongside our G7 partners, the UK has repeatedly called on third parties to immediately cease providing material support to Russia's aggression or face severe costs."

According to a statement from the Foreign Office: "The UK is also sanctioning three Russian companies operating in the electronics sector for their role in procuring UK-sanctioned western microelectronics that are essential for sustaining Russia's conflict in Ukraine."

This latest sanctions package is part of a series of wider actions aiming to target those "critical to supplying and funding Putin's war machine" – and it is the "biggest-ever UK action on military suppliers in third countries".

"The Russian defence industry is severely stretched and focused entirely on sustaining the war. Unable to access Western components, the Russian military is struggling to produce sufficient top-end equipment and is now desperately searching for foreign armaments," said the Foreign Office.

The statement added: "Russia is already having to mobilise Soviet-era tanks and harvest kitchen freezers for low-grade chips. Today's package tackles Russia's attempts to circumvent and offset these clear impacts of UK and allies' sanctions."