UK expands sanctions, targeting companies in China, India, Türkiye, Thailand

In a continued effort to exert economic pressure on Russia, the United Kingdom has broadened its sanctions regime to include several companies operating in China, India, Türkiye, and Thailand.

The move forms part of the UK government’s comprehensive strategy to respond to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Russia, Caliber.Az reports.

According to an official statement published on the British government’s website, the newly imposed restrictions specifically target a total of eight companies: three entities headquartered in Hong Kong, three in Thailand, one in India, and one in Türkiye.

The UK government has implemented 100 new sanctions designed to hit Russia’s revenues and military supplies, including against its so-called shadow fleet carrying oil and electronics companies.

The announcement, made by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper during her visit to Kyiv, comes amid Vladimir Putin’s ongoing efforts to thwart peace negotiations, exemplified by the unprecedented air assault on Ukraine, involving over 800 missiles and drones launched in a single night.

Sanctions were imposed on 70 more ships in Russia’s “shadow fleet” that transport Russian oil, while 30 entities and individuals supporting Russia’s war machine by supplying key equipment such as electronics, chemicals and explosives used to manufacture missiles and other weapons systems were also targeted.

The numbers of Russian drones and missiles launched against Ukraine – 6,500 in July alone – are 10 times the level of a year ago, with recent strikes directly hitting the Ukrainian cabinet of ministers, damaging the British Council and EU delegation buildings in Kyiv and a violation of NATO airspace over Poland.

By Vafa Guliyeva