Russia Sanctions 21 Western Figures After UK Adds Eight to Blacklist

The United Kingdom expanded its sanctions regime against Moscow on 20 August, adding eight further individuals or entities to its Russia-related blacklist. London provided no immediate public details of the newly designated targets, which come on top of the sweeping restrictions it has imposed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Moscow responded within hours, announcing retaliatory measures against 21 British and other Western nationals, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The ministry did not specify the identities of the people affected but said the move was in direct response to the latest UK sanctions. The tit-for-tat steps underscore the continuing escalation in economic and diplomatic pressure between the two countries.