Russian caviar and diamonds hit by fresh UK sanctions | Business News

The UK has slapped Russia with more sanctions, targeting military leaders as well as goods like caviar and diamonds.

Azatbek Omurbekov, a lieutenant colonel nicknamed “the butcher of Bucha”, was one of the Russian army leaders hit by the new sanctions, according to the UK.

Britain will increase tariffs by 35% on Russian and Belarussian goods, including silver, diamonds, and caviar.

The sanctions take the total import tariffs and bans on Russian goods to more than £1bn, according to Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Thursday’s round of sanctions also targets individuals outside of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military who are actively supporting his invasion of Ukraine.

These include Oleg Belozyorov, the CEO and chairman of vital logistics company Russian Railways, and Ilya Kiva, the defecting and expelled Ukrainian MP who has publicly supported Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

“The depravity of Russia’s assault on the people of Ukraine is plain for all to see. They are deliberately targeting hospitals, schools, and transport hubs in Mariupol and beyond – just as they did in Chechnya and Syria,” said Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

“The UK is unyielding in our support for Ukraine and in holding Putin and his regime to account. Today’s new wave of sanctions hits the generals and defence companies that have blood on their hands.”

More than 1,000 Russian oligarchs and entities have been sanctioned since Mr Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine a month ago.