UK targets oligarchs' aircraft and ships with new legal powers

Laws will prohibit the maintenance of luxury vehicles belonging to Russians hit by British sanctions

Russian-owned superyacht Phi was detained in Canary Wharf, London. Reuters

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New laws have been announced by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) which aim to “prevent Russian oligarch access to UK aviation and maritime technical services”.

The legislation will prohibit the maintenance of aircraft or ships belonging to Russian oligarchs and businesses hit by UK sanctions, the department said.

The FCDO said the new powers, which have been laid out in the UK Parliament via a statutory instrument, had been used to impose sanctions Russian businessmen Eugene Shvidler and Oleg Tinkov.

Meanwhile, the finance, trade and shipping sanctions imposed in relation to Crimea have been expanded to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

“There is no doubt that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and his elite have been surprised by the strength of our sanctions" said Britiish Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

“We will continue to ramp up the pressure so long as Russian troops are in Ukraine, targeting not only the businesses of oligarchs but also their assets and international lifestyles. ”

Superyacht 'Amore Vero', which French authorities say is linked to the chief executive of Rosneft, a Russian energy company, moored near Marseille, France. Reuters

The 142-metre sail-assisted motor yacht 'Sailing Yacht A', owned by Russian tycoon Andrey Melnichenko, off Monaco harbour. Reuters

The 'Lady M', owned by Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov, docked at Imperia harbour, Italy. European governments are moving against Russian oligarchs to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to back down on his war in Ukraine, seizing superyachts and other luxury properties from billionaires on sanctions lists. AP Photo

The 135m yacht 'Crescent' moored in Tarragona. The yacht cannot leave the north-eastern port while the police determine if it 'belongs or is under the control of' someone on the EU sanctions list. AFP

The superyacht Valerie was seized by the Spanish government. Spanish newspaper 'El Pais' reported that the ship is linked to Rostec State Corporation’s chief executive Sergey Chemezov. Bloomberg

The St Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged yacht 'Lady Anastasia' moored in Puerto Adriano in Calvia, on the island of Mallorca. AFP

The 'Quantum Blue', on the right, is owned by Russian billionaire Sergei Galitsky. AFP

The 'Axioma' superyacht belonging to Russian oligarch Dmitrievich Pumpyansky, who is on the EU's list of sanctioned Russians, docked in Gibraltar during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Reuters

“Our economic and transport sanctions are working to suffocate those most complicit in Putin’s regime ensuring that no one on UK soil can support Putin’s inhuman assault in Ukraine,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.