UK sanctions 3 more senior Russian officials

By Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA (AA) – UK on Wednesday announced sanctions on three more senior Russian officials.

Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who is responsible for Russia's weapons industry and equipping mobilized troops, and Dmitry Bezrukikh, head of the Wagner Group Recruitment Hub have been sanctioned, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Arkady Gostev, director of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation, was also sanctioned for supporting the recruitment of prisoners into Wagner Group, it added.

“Today we have sanctioned individuals who have enforced this conscription, sending thousands of Russian citizens to fight in Putin’s illegal and abhorrent war,” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said.

He reiterated that the UK will continue to use both sanctions and military aid to support Ukraine in defending its territory.

Known as a Russian private military company, Wagner Group has reportedly operated in Ukraine, Syria and Libya and some African countries including Mali and the Central African Republic.

The group has been targeted in the raft of sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries. Russia denies any links to the group.