UK Sanctions 3 Russian Military Spy Units Over Cyberattack Allegations – British Government

UK Sanctions 3 Russian Military Spy Units Over Cyberattack Allegations – British Government

London, July 18, 2025 — The United Kingdom has taken a strong stance against Russia over long-running hybrid warfare and cyberattack allegations. The British government has imposed sanctions on three units of Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, and 18 of its officers. The decision was announced in a statement issued Friday by the UK Foreign Office.

According to the British government, these Russian intelligence units and officers have been involved for years in "malicious cyber activities" targeting the UK and Western nations. These include cyberattacks on media outlets, telecommunications, energy infrastructure, and political institutions.

Among those sanctioned are several GRU officers accused of hacking Yulia Skripal’s phone with malware prior to the 2018 poisoning in Salisbury. Skripal, a former Russian military intelligence officer who also worked as a double agent for British intelligence, and his daughter Yulia were exposed to a nerve agent called "Novichok" in an attempted assassination.

In a statement, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

“GRU operatives are working to sow chaos across Europe, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty, and threaten the safety of British citizens. The Kremlin should be under no illusion — we are aware of what they are doing in the shadows, and we will not tolerate it.”

He added:

“These sanctions are part of our defense strategy, aimed at protecting the UK and upholding international norms.”

The sanctions will include asset freezes, travel bans, and bans on international transactions involving the GRU units and officials.

Additionally, the UK has also imposed sanctions on three leaders of Russia’s so-called "African Initiative" — a disinformation campaign widely viewed by the West as a tool for malign influence operations.

According to the Foreign Office:

“These sanctions are not only the UK’s response but a message that we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies against all harmful activities emanating from the Putin regime. We remain committed to Ukraine’s freedom and international stability.”

Analysts believe this move is not just a means of increasing political pressure on Russia, but part of a broader strategy to counter Russian influence across Europe.