The United Kingdom has announced a new package of sanctions targeting 35 individuals and organisations involved in recruiting vulnerable migrants to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as in supplying components to produce Russian strike drones.
According to a statement published by the UK Foreign Office on 5 May, the sanctions aim to disrupt two key pillars of support for Russia’s war machine:
Human trafficking and migrant recruitment networks. The sanctioned individuals are accused of deceiving foreign nationals from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and other regions with promises of employment and a better life, before sending them either to the front lines as cannon fodder or to forced labour in military factories. Among the schemes cited is the “Alabuga Start” programme, linked to drone manufacturing.
Suppliers to Russia’s drone industry. A portion of the sanctions targets companies and individuals from third countries — including China and Thailand — supplying critical components to Russian drone production facilities.
The package includes sanctions on 17 individuals and organisations under the illegal migration and human trafficking regime, as well as additional figures linked to Russia’s defence industry — among them recruiters, logistics companies and equipment suppliers.
Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty stated: “These sanctions expose and disrupt those who use migrants as cannon fodder and supply Putin’s drone factories with illicit components to attack innocent civilians and critical infrastructure.”
The UK described Russia’s actions as “barbaric,” characterising them as an attempt to replenish frontline losses using foreign nationals.
The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on doing business with UK companies. They form part of a broader international strategy to degrade Russia’s military capabilities.
A full list of sanctioned individuals and organisations has been published on the UK Government website.