New UK sanctions on the Russian president’s inner circle, targeting Putin’s ex-wife, plus Kabayeva and her grandmother

The British government outlines sanctions on their website.

Only a small portion of the president's property is recorded in official documents, but Putin's wealth is recorded in his family’s documents.

"Official documents list President Putin's modest assets, including a small apartment in St. Petersburg, two Soviet-era cars from the 1950s, a trailer and a small garage. In fact, Putin relies on his network of family, childhood friends and the elite who won from his regime and, in turn, support his way of life. Their reward is the influence on Russia’s internal affairs, which goes far beyond their formal positions," said the British government.

Among Putin's inner circle who came under sanctions:

• Alina Kabayeva, retired Olympic gymnast. She is the chair of the National Media Group board, which is reportedly Russia's largest private media company, and previously she was a Duma’s member from the United Russia party. Kabayeva is believed to have a close personal relationship with Putin.

• Anna Zatseplina, Alina Kabayeva's grandmother and ally of Gennady Tymchenko, a longtime ally of Putin who came under British sanctions on February 22 and who gave her a luxury apartment in Moscow.

• Lyudmila Ocheretna, Putin's ex-wife, former First Lady of the Russian Federation.  After divorcing Putin in 2014, Ocheretna established preferential business relations with government agencies.

• Igor Putin, Vladimir Putin's cousin, Russian businessman, director of the Pecheneg International Seaport.

• Roman Putin, Putin’s cousin who speaks publicly about his connections and emphasizes how his Putin Consulting has allowed him to help foreign investors in Russia.

• Mikhail Shelomov, Russian business owner and Putin's cousin. Shelomov's Akcept LLC allegedly split its employees with Bean JSC, a company registered as the owner of Putin's Palace. Shelomov is also a shareholder of Bank of Russia; he came under British sanctions on February 22.

•  Mikhail Putin, Russian businessman, relative of the Russian president. He is Deputy Chairman of the Board of SOGAZ Insurance Company, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Gazprom.

• Alexander Plekhov, a close friend of Putin. His company Vital Development Corporation has benefited from significant government patronage.

• Mikhail Klishin, Executive Director of the Bank of Russia, Member of the Board of Directors of SOGAZ

• Vladimir Kolbin, the son of Putin’s childhood friend and Putin's likely business partner, Peter Kolbin. Vladimir took advantage of and supported the Russian government as acting director general of Gelendzhik Seaport LLC.

• Yuri Shamalov, son of Nikolai Shamalov (under British sanctions from 2014) and brother of Putin's former son-in-law Kirill (sanctioned by Britain on February 24). Yuri is one of the new elite of children close to Putin's entourage and quickly rose to become president of the Gazfond and a member of Gazprombank's board of directors.

• Viktor Khmarin is a Russian lawyer and businessman, a friend and relative of Putin's marriage.  Khmarin owned a number of companies, including NefteProductService LLC, which operated in Russia's energy sector.

Thus, Britain is putting pressure on Putin, who is continuing to wage war on Ukraine.

So far, the UK has imposed sanctions on more than 1,000 individuals and 100 legal entities, including oligarchs worth £117 billion.

"We are exposing and targeting a shadow network that supports Putin's luxurious lifestyle and exacerbates the vices of his inner circle. We will continue to impose sanctions on all those who promote Putin's aggression until Ukraine wins," said British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

Sanctions against Putin's entourage provide:

• Freezing assets. This prohibits any UK citizen or any business in the UK from dealing with personal funds or environmental resources.

• Travel ban. The designated person will be denied permission to enter or stay in the UK.

• Transport sanctions. The recently introduced powers criminalize the flight or landing of any Russian aircraft in the UK and give the government the power to seize aircraft belonging to these individuals.