Diamonds, Rosatom partners, pseudo-head of ZNPP: UK announces new package of sanctions against Russia

This is stated on the website of the British government.

The sanctions are related to the energy, metallurgical, defense, transportation and financial sectors of Russia. They also include restrictions on individuals and organizations involved in the theft and resale of Ukrainian grain, as well as against major Russian energy and cargo companies. 

The sanctions also targeted companies affiliated with Rosatom that produce advanced materials and technologies, including lasers. These include UMATEX, which produces carbon fiber-based composite materials for Rosatom that can be used for military purposes, and TRINITI, whose research and development in laser physics is directly funded by the Russian state defense order. The lasers were installed on tank chassis to blind aircraft optics and disable precision weapons.

Among the personal sanctions is the pseudo-head of Zaporizhzhia NPP Oleg Romanenko, 13 members of the Gazprom-Neft board of directors, and 5 members of the Transneft board of directors.

The sanctions will also apply to diamonds, copper, aluminum and nickel of Russian origin.

Billionaire oligarch Igor Altushkin, who owns the Russian Copper Company (the third largest copper producer in Russia), was also subject to the restrictions. Another 8 companies related to the production of metals in Russia were also sanctioned. 

The UK imposed restrictions on 24 individuals and legal entities in the transportation sector. These include Pawell Shipping Co LLP, the State Grain Corporation, and their director, Nikita Busel, who are involved in the systematic theft of Ukrainian grain. Six large Russian shipping companies were also sanctioned. This includes Sun Ship Management. It is affiliated with Sovcomflot, Russia's largest state-owned shipping company, which is involved in avoiding Western sanctions.

There are 20 defense sector executives and companies under restrictions. Among the sanctioned individuals:

• Alan Valerievich Lushinkov and Vladimir Nikolaevich Lepin, who are both Directors of JSC Concern Kalashnikov, who produce 95% of all firearms in Russia

• JSC BMZ which has produced anti-personnel and anti-tank mines used by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine

• JSC Motovilikhinskiye, a minority subsidiary of Russian defence conglomerate Rostec which manufactures howitzers used by the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine

Finally, the sanctions relate to the financial sector.  Five financial institutions have been sanctioned, including Dom RF JSC, which acts on behalf of the Russian government, and Metallurgical Investment Bank, which supports Russian industrial exports.

• On May 10, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said that his country intends to play a leading role in a joint attempt to stop Russia's financial flows from the diamond trade.