Russian Politicians Sanctioned n Ban From Entering The UK

UK has banned Russian politicians from travelling to the UK, as well as from accessing assets held in Britain or doing business in the country.

The Secretary of State for Foreign in the UK Liz Truss has announced that 386 Russian politicians have been sanctioned following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

All are members of the Russian Duma, the lower house of the country's parliament, and voted to recognise the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk as "independent". 

Ms Truss said: "We're targeting those complicit in Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine and those who support this barbaric war. We will not let up the pressure and will continue to tighten the screw on the Russian economy through sanctions. 

"Together with our allies, we stand firmly beside our Ukrainian friends. We will continue to support Ukraine with humanitarian aid, defensive weapons and diplomatic work to isolate Russia internationally." 

It comes a day after a £15bn sanctions hit on oligarchs, including Roman Abramovich. 

That's all for today

Today the Foreign Secretary announced the latest in a round of sanctions as the UK continued to crack down on those close to the Putin regime and its war in Ukraine. 

The sanctions consisted of 386 members of the Russian Duma, of which Roman Abramovich was elected to in 1999, where he represented an impoverished region of the east of the country. 

All assets in the UK will now be frozen but Downing Street declined to say whether any of the members actually held any in Britain, making the effectiveness of the move unknown. 

Meanwhile Evgeny Lebedev, who was made a Lord in 2020, has reassured the public that he is not a spy, despite his father serving as a KGB agent.