The United Kingdom has broadened its sanctions on Russia, extending personal restrictions to a wide group of the country’s regional leaders. Entry to the UK is barred for these officials, and their presence within British territory is subject to detention if encountered.
Officially, the British Cabinet notes that the new measures target figures who led Russian regions, underlining their roles in political decisions and governance that align with Moscow’s actions. The sanctions list includes governors from multiple regions, reflecting a broad reach across the federation. Regions affected include Amur, Bryansk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Sverdlovsk, Tyumen, Chelyabinsk, Samara, Novosibirsk, Saratov, Orenburg, and Tambov.
In addition, leaders from the Republics and autonomous areas are named, such as Bashkortostan, the Chuvash Republic, the Komi Republic, Yakutia, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, along with the Altai, Stavropol, and Krasnoyarsk regions. The scope thus extends beyond single provinces to cover a wide array of regional authorities across the country.
Among those sanctioned are prominent figures including the head of the Moscow region, Andrey Vorobyov, the governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, and Konstantin Chuichenko, who heads a ministry within the Russian administration. Moreover, the measures reach into areas connected to the separatist administrations, affecting Vitaly Khotsenko, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic government, and Vladislav Kuznetsov, a top deputy in the Luhansk People’s Republic government.
Even members of the private sector and individuals tied to notable business interests were named in the list, with the relatives of billionaire Alisher Usmanov identified as Sarvar and Sanzhar Ismailov receiving sanctions recognition from the British authorities.
Additionally, the UK measures extend to British journalist Graham Philips, who had previously contributed as a stringer for RT, reflecting the broad sweep of the policy beyond purely political figures.
Governors’ reactions
Reactions from several regional leaders named on the sanctions list have been swift and often ironic. Tyumen Governor Alexander Moor responded on his Telegram channel with a brief, pointed remark, saying, “Well, finally.”
Alexander Gusev, governor of Voronezh, offered a similar sentiment in his reply, explaining that he had accepted the news with a calm demeanor. He emphasized his commitment to his country and the Voronezh region, stating that his duty to Russia would continue with dedication and service.
Roman Starovoit, governor of Kursk, stated that he had been under sanctions since 2014, a reference to the period around the buildup to the Crimean bridge, and suggested that life within Russia is the only life he could picture. He noted that there is no bank account or real estate abroad, underscoring his stance on international ties.
Alexander Drozdenko, head of the Leningrad region, conveyed a sense of anticipation with a simple, public remark: “I waited.” The responses illustrate a common thread among several listed leaders, who frame sanction actions as proof of their national allegiance and a commitment to domestic governance.
The breadth of these measures signals the United Kingdom’s intent to hold regional authorities accountable for actions associated with the broader Russian government, while policymakers in Britain emphasize the importance of aligning sanctions with geopolitical considerations and the signaling impact of such moves. The evolving list is expected to continue generating comment from observers, analysts, and the officials affected as the international stance toward Russia remains a focal point of contemporary diplomacy.