Britain imposes sanctions on two more Russian oligarchs over war on Ukraine – POLITICO

LONDON – Britain has imposed sanctions on Uzbekistan-born Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov for targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle following his deadly invasion of Ukraine.

The UK government, which has been criticized for being slower than the EU in sanctioning Russian oligarchs, announced on Thursday that both individuals had been added to its sanctions list, which now includes 13 Russian individuals.

“The sanctioning of Usmanov and Shuvalov sends a clear message that we will meet oligarchs and individuals closely linked to the Putin regime and its barbaric war,” British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said. “We won’t stop here. Our goal is to cripple the Russian economy and starve out Putin’s war machine.”

The couple, who were already on the EU sanctions list, have had their entire assets frozen, have been banned from traveling to the UK and will not be able to do business with UK citizens or companies in the UK. According to the British government, their combined assets are worth $19 billion.

Usmanov is the founder of USM Holdings, a company involved in the extractive and telecommunications industries, and his commercial ties with Everton Football Club have already been suspended. He owns Beechwood House in Highgate, valued at an estimated £48million, and a 16th-century estate in Surrey. He also had his £437million luxury megayacht impounded in Germany on Wednesday.

Shuvalov, who led Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid and served in Putin’s cabinet, owns two luxury apartments in central London.