Russia's war in Ukraine
A tractor ploughs a field to plant sunflower seeds on a farm in Yemchykha, Ukraine, on May 1. Andrew Kravchenko/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The United Kingdom on Friday announced new sanctions against Russia, targeting companies connected to the theft of Ukrainian grain and those involved in the shipment of Russian energy.
"The 86 designations target individuals and organisations connected to Russia’s energy, metals, defence, transport, and financial sectors - ramping up pressure on Putin’s remaining revenue and attempts to use these sectors to support the military machine," the UK Foreign Office said in a statement.
Russian forces have been accused of stealing farm equipment and thousands of tons of grain from Ukrainian farmers in areas they have occupied, as well as targeting food storage sites with artillery.
The announcement comes as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets with G7 leaders in Hiroshima on Friday.
In an earlier statement Friday, the prime minister's office said the UK will ban the import of Russian diamonds, Russian-origin copper, aluminum and nickel under legislation to be introduced later this year.
Britain has sanctioned more than 1,500 individuals and entities since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, freezing more than £18 billion ($22.3 billion) of assets in the UK, according to Downing Street.
Source: CNN
