UK Sanctions Russian Suppliers Including Turkish, Emirati and Iranian Firms

The United Kingdom has slapped sanctions against 25 individuals and businesses it claims are supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, going after firms in Turkey, the Emirates and Iran.

Announced on August 8, this “largest ever UK action” targets 22 individuals and businesses outside Russia as well as 3 Russian companies importing electronics vital to Russia’s military equipment used on the battlefield.

“Today’s measures will damage Russia’s defence systems by cutting off Putin’s access to foreign military equipment,” the UK defence ministry said.

Through this sanctions package, the UK said it is taking further steps to tackle countries actively supporting Putin by supplying weapons and military components directly to Russia, including Iran, Belarus and North Korea.

Among those sanctioned are:

• 2 Turkey based businesses, Turkik Union and Azu International, for their role in exporting microelectronics to Russia that are essential for Russia’s military activity in Ukraine
• Dubai-based Aeromotus Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Trading LLC, for its role in supplying drones and drone components to Russia
• Slovakian national Ashot Mkrtychev, for his involvement in an attempted arms deal between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Russia
• Swiss national Anselm Oskar Schmucki, for his role in Russia’s financial services sector, including through working as Chief of the Moscow office of DuLac Capital Ltd

Iranian individuals and entities involved in the research, development and production of UAVs for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); and Belarusian defence organisations linked to the manufacturing of military technology for the Belarusian regime come under Tuesday’s sanctions.

Among these new designations is the Belarusian company Gomel Radio Plant which is repairing Russian military equipment; and the Iranian Paravar Pars Company, a key regime-linked UAV manufacturer, and seven of its executives. Iran is responsible for supplying Russia with the kamikaze drones used to bombard Ukraine.