UK issues Russia sanctions interdiction licence, clearing path for enforcement actions
Britain’s sanctions office has issued a new general licence allowing persons acting for the government and relevant UK financial institutions to support interdiction actions under the Russia sanctions regime.
LONDON, June 12, 2026 — The UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation issued General Licence INT/2026/9559192 on Friday, authorising conduct otherwise prohibited under the Russia sanctions rules when needed to support government interdiction actions. The licence took effect on June 12, 2026.
The licence is granted under regulation 64 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and exempts, to the extent necessary, acts that would otherwise breach prohibitions in regulations 11 to 15, 17A, and 46Z9C to 46Z9D. It is framed around “interdiction,” defined as action taken to facilitate, enable or otherwise support the UK government in exercising legal powers under regulations 57C-D to enforce possible breaches of the Russia regulations.
Under the licence, persons contracted or directed by the UK government may take steps necessary to enable and carry out an interdiction. They may also make funds available for the benefit of a designated person, but only where that is solely for the purpose of enabling and enacting the interdiction. Relevant UK institutions, including regulated financial firms and payment services providers, may process payments connected to those activities.
The licence says the permissions apply only so long as no funds or economic resources are made available to a designated person outside that narrow interdiction purpose. It also requires persons and relevant UK institutions to keep accurate and complete records of any activity carried out under the licence for at least six years. HM Treasury said it may vary, revoke or suspend the licence at any time.
The measure appears designed to give UK authorities and service providers legal cover to execute enforcement activity under the Russia sanctions framework, including operational steps that could otherwise trigger asset freeze or related restrictions. That is an inference from the text of the licence, which is focused on enabling HMG enforcement powers rather than announcing new designations.
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