Russian stop list includes UK’s officials

The Russian stop list included UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly and Chief of the General Staff Patrick Sanders.

The Russian Foreign Ministry decided to expand sanctions against the UK on January 12, but the names of those on the sanctions list were not reported, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, according to Russia Posts.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden, Minister Without Portfolio in the Cabinet Office Nadhim Zahawi, as well as several representatives of the leadership of the Strategic Command of the UK Armed Forces and the National Centre have also been added to the blacklist cyber security. The Russian Foreign Ministry refused to publish the full list.

“We do not see the expediency of publishing a complete list of new defendants in our decision, especially since the authorities in London themselves understand who they are talking about. If the official authorities of the United Kingdom nevertheless show interest in this issue, then we will be ready to inform the UK authorities and the public about those who indulge in a hostile course aimed at demonising our country and attempts to isolate it internationally, destroying the foundation of bilateral relations,” the Russian Foreign Ministry added.

The sanctions were expanded against the background of the decision made by the UK authorities to transfer to Ukraine a batch of modern heavy battle tanks Challenger II.

According to The Sun, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will officially inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the day about the dispatch of 12 Challenger 2 tanks.