The British government announced on Tuesday (May 5th) that it will expand sanctions against Russia, adding 35 individuals and entities to the blacklist. Among those sanctioned are two entities in mainland China and Hong Kong for supplying military equipment, and it is the first time the UK has used legislation to target illegal recruitment networks providing “cannon fodder” for the Russians.
According to the UK government’s sanctions database, the entities sanctioned include M9 LOGISTICS (HK) LIMITED in Hong Kong and its Shanghai subsidiary – Shanghai Shiran International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd (M9 LOGISTICS CO., LTD).
The UK Foreign Office stated that this group is suspected of supplying key drone technology, components, and military goods to Russia. The Foreign Secretary believes there are reasonable grounds to suspect that these entities, through the provision of relevant goods or technology, have directly or indirectly participated in actions undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. As per the regulations, sanctioned entities will have their assets frozen in the UK, and related individuals will be banned from entry.
In addition to traditional sanctions targeting Russia’s military industry, on Tuesday, the UK for the first time utilized the “Global Irregular Migration Sanctions Regime” to announce sanctions against 17 individuals.
The Foreign Office pointed out that these human trafficking networks assist in transporting individuals from Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other countries to serve as “cannon fodder” on the front lines. Some individuals are also transported to the borders of Poland and Finland to exacerbate instability.
Furthermore, the UK has added an additional 18 sanctioned entities under its sanctions mechanism against Russia. Apart from the entities in mainland China and Hong Kong, the focus is on the “Alabuga Start” project. The project employs individuals from economically disadvantaged regions such as Cameroon and sends them to factories in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, to participate in the production of military drones.
Secretary of State for Sanctions Affairs Stephen Doughty emphasized, “Exploiting vulnerable groups to support Russia’s illegal warfare is barbaric.” He stated that the aim of this action is to disrupt human trafficking chains and cut off the illegal supply of components to Putin’s drone factory.
The targets of these sanctions span across Russia, Belarus, China (including Hong Kong), Thailand, India, and the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, the UK announced on Sunday its readiness to discuss joining the EU’s €90 billion (approximately $105 billion) loan program for Ukraine, demonstrating further deepening cooperation between European defense and finance.
(This article was referenced from Reuters)