Russia Imposes Sanctions on 18 British Citizens Over Ukraine Conflict

Russia imposed sanctions against 18 UK citizens, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday. Sanctioned individuals include officials, academics, and Russia experts, who were banned allegedly for attempting to demonize Russia and exacerbate the conflict in Ukraine.

The Ministry outlined on its website a "stop list" for British citizens, alleging their involvement in activities aimed at discrediting Russia's constitutional system and socio-political processes.

“We are forced to state that Russophobically charged British representatives do not shy away trying to discredit the constitutional system and socio-political processes in our country,” the statement reads.

The list includes prominent figures such as British Deputy Defence Minister James Cartlidge, Deputy National Security Adviser Sarah MacIntosh, and Director of Submarines Simon Asquith. Additionally, individuals such as Stuart Peach, the British Prime Minister’s special envoy to the Western Balkans, Lords Dan Hannan and Michael Ashcroft, as well as several academics and experts came under the sanctions.

Among the academics sanctioned are historians Orlando Figes, Norman Davies, Timothy Garton Ash, Rob Johnson, and David Abulafia, along with experts Roy Allison, Graeme Robertson, Calder Walton, and James Sherr.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also criticized the United Kingdom's strategy on Ukraine, alleging that it has led to further escalation and loss of life in the ongoing conflict.

“By pushing the (President Volodymyr) Zelensky regime to continue the bloodshed, the British must realize that, along with Ukrainian neo-Nazis, they bear responsibility for crimes against civilians,” the ministry alleged.

The armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in 2022 when Russian troops entered Ukraine, citing the protection of people in self-proclaimed separatist-controlled regions allegedly under attack by the Ukrainian military. The conflict has persisted, with Russia's offensive facing resistance from Ukraine's military and civilians.

The imposition of sanctions by Russia comes in response to the periodic additions to the UK sanctions list, which targets individuals and entities supporting Kremlin policies. Currently, more than a thousand individuals and one hundred enterprises from Russia are on the UK sanctions register, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

In retaliation, Russia has banned British citizens from entering the country. In 2022, the Russian Foreign Ministry prohibited 154 members of the House of Lords, British officials, military personnel, lawyers, and media representatives from entering Russia.

The tit-for-tat sanctions between Russia and the UK further escalate tensions between the two nations amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, raising concerns about the prospects for diplomatic resolution in the region.