UK, EU coordinate over more Russian sanctions

England and the European Union on Wednesday declared composed sanctions against favorable to Russian separatists, as well as more oligarchs and their family members.

The UK government said that, collaborating with the EU, it is authorizing “178 Russian separatists” in eastern Ukraine, notwithstanding six additional oligarchs and their families and workers.

“This comes after numerous reports last week that Russia was brutally focusing on regular citizens in those districts,” Britain’s Foreign Office said in an explanation.

The latest sanctions include Alexander Ananchenko and Sergey Kozlov, who are described by the Foreign Office as “self-styled” leaders of the Russia-backed so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.

“In the wake of horrific rocket attacks on civilians in Eastern Ukraine, we are today sanctioning those who prop up the illegal breakaway regions and are complicit in atrocities against the Ukrainian people,” said Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

“We will continue to target all those who aid and abet (President Vladimir) Putin’s war.”

Further oligarchs hit by sanctions include Vagit Alekperov, the head of Russian oil giant Lukoil, and Vladimir Ievtouchenkov, chairman of the Sistema conglomerate.

Britain is taking part in an international effort to punish Russia with asset freezes, travel bans and sanctions, after Putin ordered the assault on Ukraine on February 24.

Those sanctions have so far targeted Russian defense, trade and transport companies.

Truss said the latest package would include extending a UK import ban on Russian goods, to include iron and steel from Thursday.

“We will not rest in our mission to stop Putin’s war machine in its tracks,” Truss said.

London has endorsed in excess of 1,400 people and organizations connected to Russia – – including in excess of 100 oligarchs and their relatives – – since Moscow’s tactical hostile started.