Asger Risom
Britain has sanctioned dozens of individuals and companies accused of exploiting migrants and supplying Russia’s drone industry, as Western governments intensify efforts to disrupt Moscow’s wartime supply chains.
Britain has imposed sanctions on dozens of people and companies accused of helping Russia recruit vulnerable migrants and feed its expanding drone industry.
The measures target what UK officials describe as a growing network moving foreign nationals into Russian military service and weapons production tied to the war in Ukraine.
Migrants sent to war
According to the UK Foreign Office, the sanctions cover 35 individuals and entities linked to human trafficking, illicit recruitment and military supply chains connected to Russia’s war effort.
British officials say migrants were promised jobs and opportunities abroad before being funneled into frontline combat roles or forced labour supporting Russian drone production.
UK Sanctions Minister Stephen Doughty called the practice “barbaric,” accusing those involved of treating migrants as “cannon fodder” while helping Moscow sustain attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Among those sanctioned is Polina Alexandrovna Azarnykh, who British authorities allege coordinated the movement of recruits from countries including Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Nigeria, Syria and Yemen into Russia before deployment to Ukraine.
Drone industry links
The sanctions also target figures connected directly to Russia’s military technology sector.
One of them is Pavel Nikitin, whose company develops the VT-40 drone reportedly used by Russian forces in Ukraine.
British authorities say additional sanctioned entities based in countries including China and Thailand were involved in supplying components and critical equipment used in Russian drone manufacturing.
The move comes as Western governments increasingly focus on disrupting the supply chains behind Russia’s missile and drone production, especially after repeated discoveries of foreign-made electronics inside Russian weapons systems.
Pressure campaign grows
London said the sanctions were introduced under the UK’s Global Migration and Human Trafficking Regime and form part of a broader effort to weaken Russia’s military capabilities while countering hybrid threats against Europe.
Officials also pointed to mounting concerns over recruitment operations targeting economically vulnerable people in Africa and the Middle East.
Nigeria has previously warned citizens against joining foreign conflicts following reports that Nigerians recruited by Russia had been killed in Ukraine.
The UK government said it would continue coordinating sanctions with international partners as Western allies attempt to increase pressure on Moscow’s wartime economy and defence industry.
Sources: Kyiv Post, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
