The UK has imposed sweeping sanctions on a group of Russian military intelligence officers and three GRU units for orchestrating a “sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity,” according to the Foreign Office.

In total, 18 Russian spies and three GRU units face sanctions for actions described as part of a broader effort to “spread chaos and disorder” under President Vladimir Putin’s directive.

Ties to Salisbury Poisoning and Ukraine Conflict

Some of those targeted by the sanctions were linked to the 2018 Salisbury Novichok attack, during which Yulia Skripal’s phone was reportedly compromised with spyware before she and her father were poisoned.

Others are accused of cyberattacks targeting UK media outlets, telecom firms, energy infrastructure, and political institutions, as well as military strikes in Mariupol, Ukraine—including a deadly attack on a theatre sheltering civilians.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the sanctions as a clear message to Moscow:

“Putin’s hybrid threats and aggression will never break our resolve. The Kremlin should be in no doubt—we see what they are trying to do in the shadows, and we won’t tolerate it.”

Whitehall officials called this the largest UK action against Russian spies since the Salisbury incident, although the current sanctions are limited to financial measures, as the targeted GRU officers are believed to be in Russia.

EU Joins in With Toughest Measures Yet

The European Union also rolled out its 18th package of sanctions, including:

• A ban on financial transactions related to the Nord Stream gas pipeline
• A lowered price cap on Russian oil exports

The UK joined the EU in slashing the oil price cap. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said this was part of a broader effort to “turn the screw on the Kremlin’s war chest.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the measures as “essential and timely.”

Russia Responds

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a key Putin ally, dismissed the new sanctions, insisting the Russian economy would withstand the pressure and promising continued strikes on Ukraine.

Despite Western sanctions, Russia has boosted oil exports to China and India and developed a “shadow fleet” of oil tankers to bypass restrictions.

Disinformation Operations in Africa Targeted

In addition to the cyber sanctions, the UK has also targeted three leaders of the so-called “African Initiative”, a Russian-backed disinformation campaign in West Africa. The group is accused of spreading propaganda to manipulate public opinion and destabilize democratic institutions.

International Coordination Ongoing

European leaders are also encouraging the United States to step up pressure on Moscow. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump warned Russia of heavy tariffs if a peace deal was not achieved within 50 days.

The Russian government has repeatedly denied involvement in cyber warfare or international interference efforts.