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UK Govt announces its largest sanctions package on Russia, with nearly 300 measures targeting oil revenues, banks, and shadow fleet networks to curb funding for Moscow’s war in Ukraine

The UK Government announced nearly 300 new sanctions against Russia on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, targeting key oil revenues, military supply chains, banks, LNG operators, and 175 companies linked to the ‘2Rivers’ shadow oil network, as well as 48 tankers and the pipeline giant PJSC Transneft, in a bid to further weaken the Kremlin’s war economy and limit its ability to finance the conflict…

UK Sanctions List last updated

OFSI launches call for evidence on how UK sanctions regulations on ownership and control are applied in practice aiming to ensure the regime is clear, effective, and workable – deadline 13 Apr 2026

The call for evidence invites firms and stakeholders to provide practical insights on how the ownership and control test is applied, including challenges in assessing “control”, the prevalence of hypothetical control scenarios and the impact on compliance costs, legal risk and business decisions. It aims to inform potential reforms to ensure the test remains effective in preventing sanctions circumvention while improving clarity, consistency and proportionality in how entities owned or controlled by designated persons are identified and treated…

UK Govt rolls out to a single UK Sanctions List from 28  Jan 2026, replacing the dual-list system with unique IDs, expanded formats, and an improved search tool to simplify compliance and monitoring

The UK Sanctions list will replace the separate OFSI Consolidated List of Asset Freeze Targets as the sole authoritative source of UK sanctions designations. This change aims to remove duplication, clarify screening, retire the legacy “OFSI Group ID” for new designations (retaining historic identifiers where needed), and requires businesses and screening systems to switch to the UKSL and update internal processes accordingly…

UK imposes landmark counter-terrorism sanctions on a financier and key Hamas-linked organisation, freezing assets and disrupting funding flows to protect national security

The action designates Mohammed Abu Shamala and the Lebanon-based al-Shahid Social Association under the UK’s counter-terrorism sanctions regime, freezing their assets and prohibiting UK persons from providing funds, economic resources or financial services to them. It marks the first time the UK has used its autonomous terrorism sanctions powers to target entities operating outside conflict zones, signalling a strengthened effort to cut off global financial support networks linked to Hamas…

UK imposes sanctions on a Russian intelligence agency linked to the Skripal poisonings, freezing its assets and prohibiting UK dealings to hold Russia accountable for state-sponsored chemical attacks

UK announces sanctions against the GRU as Dawn Sturgess Inquiry report finds Putin personally ordered their activity in Salisbury in 2018. The GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency, is now sanctioned in its entirety by the UK. GRU agents carry out Putin’s bidding, seeking to destabilise Ukraine and attempting to sow chaos and disorder across Europe. The action comes as the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry publishes its final report into the tragic circumstances surrounding Dawn Sturgess’s death in Salisbury in 2018…

OTSI publishes its one-year update report, highlighting 146 breach assessments, 60 licence applications, enhanced reporting, whistleblower protections, and trade sanctions support for businesses

During the reporting period, OTSI received 60 licence applications, 12 of which were granted in full or partially, and 3 of which were refused.  OTSI also received 146 reports or referrals of potential breaches of trade sanctions, although no civil monetary penalties have been imposed by OTSI to date.  OTSI notes that its key priorities going forward including expanding its licensing remit and being more proactive around enforcement…

FCDO and OFSI will host a public webinar on 17 Dec 2025 at 11am GMT to discuss the transition from the UK Consolidated List to a single list for UK sanctions designations, coming into effect on 28 Jan 2026

This session offers a chance to understand the improvements being introduced and learn the steps you can take to prepare for the change. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, where they will explain the upcoming transition from the UK Consolidated List to a single UK sanctions list, effective 28 January 2026…

NCA issues Amber Alert warning state-backed networks, particularly from Russia, Iran, and North Korea, using shadow fleets and opaque corporate structures to evade sanctions on oil and other commodities

These networks exploit shell companies, complex ownership chains, and minimal transparency to conceal cargo origins, with a “red–blue” model linking red companies directly to sanctioned sources and blue companies to Western finance, insurance, and commodities markets. The alert identifies red flags such as sudden large-volume trading by new companies, limited corporate history, and registration in high-risk…

UK sanctions gang leaders and illicit financiers aiding people-smuggling from the Western Balkans, freezing assets and targeting financial networks behind human trafficking

The announcement details the listing of Balkan-based organised crime groups, including a Kosovan forgery ring and a Croatian gang supplying fake passports, as well as financiers such as the ALPA network that process money and procure small boat components for smuggling networks. Further measures include a travel ban into the UK, asset freezes and exclusion from the UK financial system…

OFSI’s Annual Review 2024–25 highlights stronger enforcement, record asset freezes and expanded international cooperation as the UK sharpens its financial sanctions regime

The review reports over £37 billion in frozen assets, increased Russia-related designations and a rise in proactive, intelligence-led enforcement actions. It also details enhanced licensing activity, broader industry outreach and closer collaboration with global partners to strengthen the effectiveness and consistency of UK sanctions implementation.

UK imposes sanctions on 71 Iranian individuals and entities linked to Iran’s nuclear programme, including financial institutions and energy companies

The sanctions impose asset freezes, travel bans, and director disqualifications on the targeted individuals and entities. They also signal the UK’s commitment to coordinating with international partners to ensure compliance with UN nuclear-related restrictions…

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