The United Kingdom announced new sanctions on Friday targeting three units of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency and 18 officers accused of orchestrating chaos and disorder under President Vladimir Putin’s directives, according to local media.

The sanctions address a range of "malicious" activities, including cyberattacks and the deliberate bombing of the Mariupol Theater in Ukraine, which killed approximately 600 civilians, including children, on March 16, 2022.

Central to the UK’s latest sanctions is GRU Unit 26165, which has been directly linked to the March 16, 2022, airstrike on the Mariupol Drama Theater. The theater—clearly marked with the word “CHILDREN” in large Cyrillic letters visible from satellite imagery—was sheltering civilians during Russia’s siege of Mariupol. The attack killed approximately 600 people, including a significant number of women and children.

International human rights groups, including the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights and Amnesty International, have classified the bombing as a war crime. UK officials emphasized that the deliberate targeting of civilians will not go unpunished.

The sanctions also encompass Russian officers involved in offensive cyber operations against Ukraine and NATO allies, including efforts to disrupt Ukraine’s communications infrastructure ahead of the 2022 invasion. The goal of such operations, according to UK authorities, was to cripple Ukraine’s defense coordination and resistance capabilities during the critical early days of the war.

Several of the sanctioned individuals are also accused of participating in the 2018 attempted assassination of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, England, using the banned Novichok nerve agent. The attack left both victims critically injured and caused an international outcry.

The UK further cited the GRU’s targeting of Yulia Skripal’s electronic devices with malicious malware, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by Russian espionage networks even after public operations have ceased.

In addition to actions in Europe, the UK also sanctioned three leading figures of the “African Initiative,” a Kremlin-funded disinformation and intelligence operation aimed at manipulating public opinion and destabilizing governments across West Africa. The initiative reportedly employs Russian intelligence officers to execute information warfare strategies that undermine democratic institutions and advance Moscow’s geopolitical goals on the continent.

In a sharp statement, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the Kremlin’s actions and pledged continued vigilance:

“The Kremlin should be in no doubt: we see what they are trying to do in the shadows, and we won’t tolerate it. That’s why we’re taking decisive action with sanctions against Russian spies. Protecting the UK from harm is fundamental to this government’s Plan for Change.”

Lammy emphasized that the UK remains steadfast in countering hostile state activities, whether on the battlefield, in cyberspace, or via covert disinformation networks.

The UK’s announcement comes alongside the European Union’s 18th sanctions package, described by officials as one of its most comprehensive to date. The EU’s measures target 14 individuals and 41 entities, including propagandists, business elites, and those involved in the forced re-education of Ukrainian children and the appropriation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage.

In total, the EU has now sanctioned over 2,500 individuals linked to the war in Ukraine and Russia’s broader campaign of destabilization.

The latest UK and EU sanctions reflect a growing international consensus that Russia’s actions—ranging from conventional warfare to hybrid threats—demand a unified and forceful response. As Russia continues to pursue its geopolitical objectives through military and covert means, Western governments are seeking to isolate, punish, and weaken the networks enabling its aggression.

Officials in London affirmed that further sanctions remain on the table should Russian hostilities persist or expand into new theaters of conflict. (ILKHA)