UK government announces new sanctions that hit Putin's inner circle. This was reported on the official page of the British Government.

Among those sanctioned is Vladimir Potanin, the second-richest person in Russia, the owner of the large conglomerate Interros.. As of April 2022, Potanin's net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, was $28.9 billion..

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Potanin continued to support the Putin regime, and also acquired Rosbank and Tinkoff Bank shares..

Also sanctioned are Anna Tsivileva, Putin's cousin and president of the well-known Russian coal mining company JSC Kolmar Group, which is also sanctioned today..

Tsivileva's husband, Sergei Tsivilev, is the governor of the Kemerovo region.

In addition, sanctions have been imposed on a number of Russians and companies for their participation in supporting the Assad regime in Syria..

The UK government stressed that they will use the mechanism of sanctions together with international allies as long as Putin continues his attack on Ukraine.

Overall, since Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the UK has sanctioned more than 1,000 people and more than 120 companies, and three-quarters of foreign companies have reduced or stopped their activities in Russia. Russian imports are already down more than 40%, officials say, and stockpiles of vital imported manufacturing components are likely to run out in the next three to six months..

Russia's richest oligarchs Vladimir Potanin and Leonid Mikhelson were sanctioned by Western countries in April.

Sanctions against the mentioned persons were proposed by the Yermak-McFaul International Working Group.