The UK has tightened its sanctions on Russia’s defense sector, the British government announced on Wednesday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a surprise visit to the country.
The new sanctions specifically target “six companies supplying military equipment such as drones for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” Britain’s Foreign Office said in a statement.
“Eight people and one organization linked to malicious financial networks” linked to the Kremlin were also subject to the new sanctions, which include asset freezes.
“These new sanctions are accelerating the economic pressure on Putin by undermining his war machine to help Ukraine win,” said British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
According to the statement, the UK has sanctioned more than 1,300 individuals and organizations since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began almost a year ago.
The new sanctions were announced during a surprise visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the UK on Wednesday. He was greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and will later speak to King Charles III.