Kathrine Frich
Britain has unveiled fresh sanctions against Russia.
Britain has unveiled fresh sanctions against Russia during a visit to Kyiv by its new Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper.
UK announces sweeping sanctions in Kyiv visit
The measures target nearly 100 entities, from weapons suppliers to vessels linked to Moscow’s shadowy “ghost fleet.”
Cooper said the aim was to increase economic pressure on Vladimir Putin and starve his war machine of vital resources.
Putin’s “ghost fleet” in London’s sights
Seventy additional vessels suspected of helping Russia bypass oil restrictions have now been blacklisted.
London says these ships are part of a much larger clandestine fleet used to keep Putin’s energy exports flowing.
Since the start of the invasion in 2022, Britain has sanctioned around 500 ships tied to Russia’s shadow trade.
Arms suppliers face fresh restrictions
Alongside the fleet, about 30 companies and individuals supplying Russia’s military have been hit.
They include firms linked to electronic parts, chemicals, and explosives, all used in missile and drone production.
Among those sanctioned is a China-based company with Russian co-owners and a Turkish firm run by an Azeri businessman.
Britain vows to choke off Putin’s war funds
“These sanctions mark a new stage in our efforts to cut off the money Putin desperately needs to fund his illegal war,” Cooper said in a statement.
She also accused the Russian leader of showing “total contempt” for the principle of sovereignty, pointing to Moscow’s escalating strikes and cross-border incursions.
Poland’s fury after drone intrusion
The announcement comes just days after around 20 Russian drones crossed into Polish territory, an event Warsaw branded a deliberate act of aggression.
Poland has since requested urgent consultations with NATO and sealed its border with Belarus, citing mounting security concerns.
Russia and Belarus stage joint drills
Adding to the tension, Russia and Belarus launched large-scale military exercises on Friday.
The Zapad-2025 maneuvers include simulated nuclear strikes and hypersonic missile launches.
Held close to the Polish border and across Belarus, the drills have alarmed NATO members already on edge after the drone incursions.
UK and Poland coordinate in Kyiv
While Cooper met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski was also in the Ukrainian capital for talks on joint security.
Both visits underline Western resolve to maintain support for Ukraine, even as Russian forces intensify their pressure along the front.
