The UK Chancellor has called on allies to step up pressure on Russia as the more than four-year war against Ukraine continues
The action comes as an attempt to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine (Image: Getty)
A nationwide alert has been issued as the Chancellor calls to ramp up the pressure on Vladimir Putin following threats from Russia to the UK.
The call comes as John Healey lays out new actions to stop Russia President Valdimir Putin from evading sanctions to fund the war against Ukraine.
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Allies slapped Russia with sanctions after its invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago in an effort to choke the machine funding the war.
Since the full-scale invasion began, the UK has imposed one of the world’s most extensive sanctions regimes, targeting individuals, entities and vessels linked to the Kremlin.
In 2026 alone, the UK has imposed sanctions on more than 500 individuals, entities and ships under the Russia sanctions regime.
Healey used his first international meetings to build an international coalition to target covert Russian networks funding the war, the government said on Monday, August 31.
Destruction from a blast in Kyiv, Ukraine (Image: Getty)
The National Crime Agency and the government on Monday issued the first ever nationwide alert against A7 to support the private sector in cracking down on sanctions evasion and ensure Russia pays the full cost of the sanctions.
The alert comes as an attempt to disrupt Kremlin-backed networks which have tried to circumvent international financial and trade sanctions and prevent Russian attempts to regain access to UK financial systems.
The A7 Network relies on third-country financial institutions, and, in turn, the illicit use of the international financial system to complete cross-border transactions and circumvent sanctions.
The Chancellor will also double the maximum fine available to the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) from 50% to 100% of the value of a sanctions breach.
In August, the government introduced a major sanctions package targeting Russian banks, shadow fleet vessels and businesses supporting the Kremlin.
John Healey has made attempts to ramp up pressure on Russia (Image: Getty)
“We are ramping up the economic pressure on Putin and leaving those aiding his illegal war with nowhere to hide,” Healey said.
“The UK and our allies must step up our international cooperation to expose sanctions evasion, and disrupt the financial networks fuelling Russia’s aggression.
“Our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is unshakeable. We will bear down on those propping up Putin’s war as we push to secure a just and lasting peace.”
Healey’s move echoes the comments of the country’s defence ministry.
Russia’s embassy in London in August accused Britain of becoming “an accomplice and co-perpetrator” of the attacks and of “deliberately opting for an escalation” in the conflict.
The Ministry of Defence said in response: “Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion.
“Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this Government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies.”