UK Imposes Sweeping Sanctions on Russian Military Intelligence Units
The United Kingdom has imposed a new wave of sanctions targeting three units of Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU) and 18 affiliated officers in response to their long-running campaign of cyberattacks and hybrid threats against the UK, Ukraine, and global partners.
The Gaze reports this, referring to a statement made by the UK government.
Announced on Friday, the sanctions follow revelations of Russia’s malign cyber activities spanning years, including operations aimed at British media, telecom providers, political institutions, and critical infrastructure.
The UK government accuses these GRU-linked actors of orchestrating cyber intrusions, espionage, and information warfare as part of the Kremlin’s broader strategy to undermine international stability.
Among those sanctioned is GRU Unit 26165, which British intelligence has identified as instrumental in conducting online reconnaissance that supported Russian missile strikes during the siege of Mariupol in 2022.
One such strike destroyed the city’s theatre, killing hundreds of civilians, including children.
“GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens,” said UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy. “The Kremlin should be in no doubt: we see what they are trying to do in the shadows and we won’t tolerate it.”
The sanctions also name officers allegedly involved in earlier attempts to compromise Yulia Skripal’s digital devices with malware known as X-Agent, five years prior to the infamous Novichok poisoning in Salisbury.
In addition to the GRU operatives, the UK has also sanctioned leaders of the so-called “African Initiative,” a Russian-backed content operation that has spread disinformation in West Africa, including conspiracy theories undermining public health efforts.
These developments come as the UK deepens its strategic focus on hybrid threats and bolsters national defense capabilities.
Under its Plan for Change, the government is increasing defense spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027 and intensifying cooperation with NATO and the EU.
As The Gaze reported earlier, PM Keir Starmer has signaled that the United Kingdom may join a US-led initiative to purchase advanced missile systems, such as Patriots, for Ukraine.