The United Kingdom has announced sanctions against three units of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency and 18 of its officers, citing a prolonged campaign of cyberattacks and hybrid threats aimed at destabilizing Europe.
The measures, revealed by the Foreign Office on Friday, address what British authorities describe as malicious activities targeting media outlets, telecoms providers, political institutions, and energy infrastructure across the UK and beyond.
The sanctions also focus on GRU operatives linked to significant incidents, including the 2022 Mariupol theatre attack in Ukraine, which resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths, and the 2018 Novichok poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the UK.
British officials claim the GRU has engaged in a sustained effort to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and sow chaos across Europe through cyber operations and disinformation campaigns.
The Foreign Office highlighted the GRU’s alleged role in targeting democratic institutions and critical infrastructure, with actions ranging from espionage to sabotage.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the UK’s stance, stating:
GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilize Europe, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens.
The UK’s sanctions align with broader international efforts, as the European Union and NATO also condemned Russia’s hybrid activities on the same day, with the EU introducing additional measures targeting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.
The British government has recently increased military spending to bolster defenses against such threats, reflecting growing concerns over Russian aggression.
Moscow has denied the allegations, labeling them politically motivated and rejecting claims of posing a threat to the UK or Europe.