UK adds 31 Russia sanctions targets, hitting LNG shipping, occupation officials and child deportation network

LONDON, October 1, 2026 — The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office added 22 individuals, eight ships and one company to the UK sanctions list under its Russia regime. The measures include asset freezes, travel bans and director disqualification sanctions for individuals, while the specified vessels face shipping and trade restrictions.

The eight ships are CHAIVO, PORTOVYY, ALEKSEY KOSYGIN, KONSTANTIN POSIET, PYOTR STOLYPIN, BEBEK-E, AVACHA and GALLE ENERGY. The government said the vessels had been, were, or were likely to be involved in transporting Russian-origin LNG to third countries. The restrictions include prohibitions on UK port access, chartering and operation, as well as certain technical, financial, brokering and other services.

Novatek Gas and Power Asia Pte Ltd was also designated. The government said the company operates in Russia's strategically significant energy sector. It is subject to an asset freeze, trust services restrictions, director disqualification and transport sanctions.

The individual designations span Russian military and security personnel, occupation officials and political figures. Several were listed over alleged involvement in the arbitrary detention, torture or mistreatment of Ukrainian civilians in Russian-occupied territories. Others were designated for supporting or promoting policies the UK says undermine Ukraine's sovereignty.

Six of the new individual listings are linked by the government to Russia's program for the forced deportation and re-education of Ukrainian children, including regional figures associated with the state-backed Movement of the First.

The additions take effect from Oct. 1. People and firms subject to UK sanctions rules must freeze assets they hold or control for designated persons and report relevant findings to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.