UK bans export of video game controllers that Russia could repurpose to kill

Video game controllers reportedly used by Russian forces to pilot drones in Ukraine are among the items banned from export to Russia under new sanctions announced by the Foreign Office.

The new measures target more than 150 items used in Russia’s defence and energy sectors, as part of the Government's latest effort to limit President Putin's ability to sustain his war in Ukraine.

"We're also banning outright video game controllers going to Russia, preventing them from being used to pilot drones on the frontline, meaning gaming consoles will no longer be repurposed to kill in Ukraine," Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty explained. 

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The banned items also include software used for locating oil and gas wells, alongside chemicals, metals and manufacturing machinery linked to Russian arms production.

"Today's action clamps down on Russia's sneaky trading and deprives Putin of the goods he desperately needs to fight his barbaric war," the minister said.

"Cutting off Russia's energy revenues will drain Putin's war chest - that's why we're shutting down the sale of sophisticated software used to cash in on new oil and gas reserves, preventing UK expertise from being used to pour fresh fuel into Russia's war machine."

Mr Doughty said Vladimir Putin had been buying harmless goods and turning them into tools of war,  and the the UK is "exposing and acting on this sinister trade".

The move follows Russia's decision to ban 15 MPs and six peers from entering the country - part of a wider diplomatic response to the UK's continued backing of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, pressure is building on both Moscow and Kyiv to enter peace talks.

US President Donald Trump has proposed a deal that would see Ukraine give up territory currently occupied by Russian forces - a proposal Kyiv has rejected.

In response to a Russian missile strike on Kyiv overnight, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was a reminder that Russia remains the aggressor in the conflict - after Mr Trump claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was the main obstacle to peace.