UK imposes sanctions on GRU units and Russian intelligence officers

According to an official statement on the UK government website, the sanctions target those involved in cyber and information interference activities worldwide that support Russia’s broader geopolitical and military goals. Among the units sanctioned are those linked to the bombing of the Mariupol theater, the poisoning of Yulia Skripal, and cyber operations backing Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

“GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens. The Kremlin should be in no doubt: we see what they are trying to do in the shadows and we won’t tolerate it. That’s why we’re taking decisive action with sanctions against Russian spies,” said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

• Earlier, on July 7, the UK imposed sanctions on Russia for its use of chemical weapons in the war against Ukraine.