The United Kingdom has announced new sanctions targeting Russia’s military industrial complex, African mercenary groups backed by Moscow, and individuals involved in the Ukraine war and the Salisbury nerve agent attack. The sanctions include designations against entities based in China, Turkey, and Central Asia for their alleged supply and production of goods used in military equipment. Three private mercenary groups, including the Wagner Group’s successor Africa Corps, and 11 individuals associated with Russian proxies were also sanctioned. The UK has become the first G7 country to directly sanction Africa Corps, which is accused of threatening stability and security across Africa.
One of the individuals sanctioned is Denis Sergeev, a Russian intelligence agent allegedly involved in the use of a Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury in 2018, which poisoned Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. This latest package of sanctions is the largest imposed by the UK since May 2023 and is part of a series of measures introduced over the past month targeting Russia’s shipping, chemical weapons use, and cyberactivities. Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that these measures aim to push back on the Kremlin’s foreign policy, disrupt the supply of equipment for Putin’s war machine, and dismantle illicit international networks forged by Russia.
The UK’s sanctions come as Russia seeks to expand its influence in Africa amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, particularly in the western parts of the continent and the Sahel region. The United States and France have been withdrawing soldiers and weapons from Africa due to objections from local governments regarding their presence amid ongoing violence from armed groups. The sanctions imposed by the UK are intended to undermine Russia’s attempts to foster instability across Africa, disrupt the supply of vital equipment for Putin’s war efforts, and dismantle illicit international networks that Russia has established.
The sanctions announced by the UK target individuals and entities with direct links to the Kremlin who have threatened peace and security in countries such as Libya, Mali, and the Central African Republic. These entities have been involved in committing widespread human rights abuses across Africa and are seen as a threat to stability on the continent. The UK’s actions mark a significant escalation in its response to Russian aggression, as it becomes the first G7 country to directly sanction Africa Corps and other entities tied to Russia’s military industrial complex. The sanctions are part of a broader effort to counter Russia’s aggressive foreign policy and disrupt its efforts to expand its influence in Africa amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In addition to targeting African mercenary groups and individuals involved in the Salisbury nerve agent attack, the UK’s sanctions also aim to disrupt Russia’s supply of vital military equipment that is being used in the conflict in Ukraine. By imposing sanctions on entities in China, Turkey, and Central Asia involved in the production and supply of goods used in military equipment, the UK seeks to restrict Russia’s access to critical resources needed for its military operations. These measures are part of a coordinated effort by the UK and its allies to push back against the Kremlin’s foreign policy and disrupt its attempts to destabilize countries in Africa and elsewhere. The sanctions send a clear message that the UK and its partners will not tolerate Russia’s aggressive actions and will take steps to counter its efforts to sow discord and undermine stability around the world.
