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
2 August 2024 — See all updates

The Russia sanctions regime

Statutory Guidance on the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

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 also review the following regulations to find out any changes 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.

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

Find out more about other UK sanctions regimes.

The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2024  

These regulations came into force on 31 July 2024. They amend regulation 57F (specification of ships) so that a ship may be specified for any activity whose object or effect is to:  

  • destabilise Ukraine or undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence of Ukraine, or to
  • obtain a benefit from or support the Government of Russia

This includes, but is not limited to, carrying military or dual-use goods from a third country to Russia, as well as oil or oil products that originated in Russia. Ships specified under Regulation 57F will be subject to ‘shipping sanctions’, namely measures in regulations 57A to 57E. Where shipping sanctions apply, a specified ship:  

  • is prohibited from entering a port in the UK
  • may be given a movement or a port entry direction
  • can be detained, and
  • will be refused permission to register on the UK Ship Register or have its existing registration terminated

These regulations also amend regulation 6 (designation criteria) to include additional activities for which a person may designated, namely:  

  • providing financial services, or making available funds, economic resources, goods or technology to persons involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia (as defined in the Regulations); and
  • owning or controlling directly or indirectly, or working as a director, trustee, other manager or equivalent of a person, other than an individual, involved in destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine.

The former expands the criteria under the Regulations to designate entities, including foreign financial institutions that facilitate transactions on behalf of, or in support of, specified sectors of strategic significance to the Government of Russia. This in line with G7 commitments to further curtail Russia’s use of the international financial system which Russia is using to facilitate its war in Ukraine. 

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

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 Business and 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 Directorate on FCDO.correspondence@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

Updates to this page

Published 15 April 2019
Last updated 2 August 2024 + show all updates

  1. Added information on the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2024  

  2. Added links to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2023 and the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2023.

  3. Two new additions and amendments to to amend the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

  4. Added links to additional documents: Russia Sanctions – Common High Priority Items List and NTE 2023/08: Russia sanctions – Trade sanctions circumvention

  5. Added a link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

  6. Added a link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations 2022

  7. A link has been added to additional guidance published by the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) on 7 December on applying for licences to export professional and business services to a person connected to Russia.

  8. Added a link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations 2022

  9. Added a link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 15) Regulations 2022

  10. Added video of the webinar on UK sanctions relating to Russia from 21 September 2022.

  11. Added a link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2022

  12. Added a link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 12) Regulations 2022 and the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 13) Regulations 2022

  13. Added a link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 11) Regulations 2022

  14. Updated to link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 10) Regulations 2022

  15. Updated to link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 9) Regulations 2022

  16. Updated to link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 8) Regulations 2022

  17. Updated to link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2022.

  18. Added video of the webinar on UK sanctions relating to Russia from 17 March.

  19. Updated to link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 2022.

  20. Updated to link to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 and the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2022.

  21. Updated to show that new designations have been made under the Russia sanctions regime.

  22. Added contact information for the Export Support Service.

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

  24. The UK's sanctions framework has changed.

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

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

  27. First published.

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