The new UK sanctions package targets «suppliers supporting Russian military production, Russian-linked mercenary groups operating in sub-Saharan African countries, as well as a GRU agent involved in the use of the nerve agent «Novichok» in Salisbury», according to a statement from the UK Foreign Office.
The sanctions affected three companies allegedly linked to the Wagner PMC and the «African Corps» — a structure that replaced the Wagner group in Africa. Sanctions were also imposed against the factoring company «Zenit Finance», the football fan brigade «Espanyola» fighting in Ukraine, the electronic components manufacturer «Elesar Group», and the design bureau «Navis». Additionally, Chinese companies were subjected to British restrictions for cooperating with Russian military production.
Among the individuals subject to restrictions are the former president of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov and Denis Sergeev, who, according to British authorities, is a GRU officer overseeing the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury. According to British authorities, Sergeev provided support in the preparation and use of chemical weapons and played a coordinating role in London on the weekends following the attack.
Also sanctioned is a namesake of a GRU officer, Major General Andrey Averyanov. Czech police suspect him of organizing explosions at the country's military warehouses in 2014.
The assets of sanctioned individuals and organizations are frozen, cooperation with them is prohibited, and individuals are also banned from entering the UK.