Collection

UK sanctions relating to Russia

This page provides guidance on the UK’s sanctions regime relating to Russia

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
15 April 2019
Last updated
1422 February 2022 — See all updates

The Russia sanctions regime

The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 came fully into force on 31 December 2020. They are intended to ensure that certain sanctions relating to Russia continue to operate effectively.

You should review the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, laid on 10 February 2022, which amended the definition of ‘involved person’ in the criteria which give grounds for a person to be designated.

You should also review the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 and the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 to find out any amendments made to the Regulations.

This sanctions regime is aimed at encouraging Russia to cease actions destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine.

These regulations have replaced, with substantially the same effect, relevant existing EU legislation and related UK regulations.

Those persons who are designated under this regime are included on the UK sanctions list.

Find out more about other UK sanctions regimes.

New designations of individuals and Russian entities were announced by the Prime Minister on 22 February. The UK government has also announced that sanctions already imposed in relation to Crimea will be extended to non-government controlled territory in the so-called breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Further guidance will be published when the relevant legislation is laid. Further sanctions may be imposed in response to events, including to prevent Russia from issuing sovereign debt on UK markets.

For questions about business operations in Ukraine or Russia, contact the Export Support Service.

Export support team
Telephone: 0300 303 8955
Textphone: 18001 303 8955
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (excluding public holidays)

Find out about call charges

Contact details

For further information on financial sanctions: contact the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation OFSI@hmtreasury.gov.uk or subscribe to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation’s e-alerts

For further information on export controls: contact the Export Control Joint Unit Helpline on 020 7215 4594 or email exportcontrol.help@trade.gov.uk or subscribe to the Export Control Joint Unit’s notices to exporters

For further information on import controls: contact the Department for International Trade’s Import Licensing Branch on importcontrols@trade.gov.uk

For further information on transport sanctions: contact the Department for Transport on transportsanctions@dft.gov.uk

For general information on sanctions: contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Sanctions Unit on sanctions@fcdo.gov.uk

Documents

The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

An explanatory memorandum accompanies the regulations, providing further information on their provisions.

Section 2(4) of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018: report

Section 18 of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 in relation to criminal offences: report

Published 15 April 2019
Last updated 1422 February 2022 + show all updates

  1. Added contact information for the Export Support Service.

  2. Updated to link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

  3. The UK's sanctions framework has changed.

  4. A link to general guidance on financial sanctions has been added.

  5. The link to the Russia sanctions regime statutory guidance has been added.

  6. First published.