UK sanctions Russians behind conscripting prisoners and citizens for war in Ukraine – POLITICO

LONDON — Britain has sanctioned a host of officials behind Russia’s controversial conscription efforts in the war in Ukraine.

London imposed 22 new sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Valentinovich, who is responsible for arming conscripts, as well as 10 governors and regional heads, are among the targets.

« Today we sanctioned individuals who enforced this conscription, sending thousands of Russian citizens to fight in Putin’s illegal and heinous war, » Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said.

The United Kingdom is also targeting figures accused of having recruited murderers and sex offenders into the ranks of the Wagner mercenary group in exchange for pardons. This includes Arkady Gostev, director of Russia’s federal prisons, and Dmitry Bezrukikh, the head of federal prisons in the Rostov region.

Britain has so far sanctioned more than 1,200 people and more than 120 entities in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to its government.

« The Russian regime’s decision to partially mobilize Russian citizens was a desperate attempt to overwhelm the valiant Ukrainians defending their territory, » Cleverly said. « It failed. »