UK corrects Russia sanctions records for defense institute and two individuals.

LONDON, October 8, 2026 — The United Kingdom has amended three entries on its Russia sanctions list, updating records for a Russian defense research institute and two individuals accused of supporting Russian activities in Ukraine, according to a notice published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The corrections, issued under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, do not introduce new designations or remove existing restrictions.

The amendments affect the Federal State Enterprise State Research Institute of Chemical Products, Georgian political figure Mamuka Pipia and Russian military official Viktor Leonidovich Bedrik, all of whom remain subject to existing sanctions measures.

The Russian research institute, also known as FKP GOSNIIKHP, was designated on Feb. 24, 2025, for supporting the Russian government through its activities in the defense sector. Based in Kazan, the institute is associated with state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec and Russia's Federal Agency for State Property Management. The correction updates its administrative record without altering existing asset freezes, trust services restrictions or director disqualification measures.

Pipia, a Georgian and Russian national designated on Oct. 1, 2026, is identified by British authorities as the international secretary of the Georgian political party Solidarity for Peace. The FCDO alleges that he led a delegation of Georgian politicians to meet the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and subsequently promoted Russian disinformation narratives undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The amendment clarifies the classification of an alternative spelling of his name, Mamuka Pipya, and updates his administrative record. Bedrik, a Russian national also designated on Oct. 1, 2026, was sanctioned over his alleged involvement in serious human rights violations during Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory. According to British authorities, Bedrik served as military commandant in occupied Kherson and was involved in directing, facilitating and participating in the unlawful detention, torture and mistreatment of civilians. His administrative record has been updated without changes to the restrictions imposed against him.

Both Pipia and Bedrik remain subject to asset freezes, travel bans, trust services restrictions and director disqualification measures. The corrections follow a separate Oct. 8 update to the UK's Russia sanctions regime involving 26 new designations, 12 ship specifications and two variations. Under UK sanctions legislation, individuals and businesses holding funds or economic resources belonging to designated persons must freeze those assets and comply with applicable reporting obligations to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.

The amendments form part of the UK's ongoing maintenance of sanctions targeting individuals and entities accused of supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine or undermining Ukrainian sovereignty.