The UK has imposed restrictions on Russian military intelligence units and officials, accusing them of preparing for orchestrating. A devastating 2022 bomb attack on a theater in southern Ukraine It claimed hundreds of civilians.
Britain’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the sanctions to 18 officials of Russia’s military intelligence agency, Gru,
These people are also implicated in targeting the family of a former Russian spy spy, which was later poisoned with a nerve agent.
The units have been charged with further a long -term campaign of cyber attack across Europe, which aims to destabilize the continent and reduce democratic institutions.
“Gru spies are running a campaign to destabilize Europe, weaken UkraineThere is a threat to the sovereignty of the Foreign Secretary and the protection of British citizens David Lemy Said.
On 15 March 2022, Russia soon after attacking Ukraine, Unit 26165 carried out online reconnaissance on civil bomb shelters MaripoleIn Southern Ukraine and Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
One of the goals was the Mariupol Theater.
Citizens inside Russian bombs painted the word “children” in the hope that they would be spared.
According to an associated press investigation, the next day, the theater was killed by Russian airstrikes, killing about 600 people, including many children.
In 2013, officials of the same unit targeted the daughter of former Russian spy spy. Sergei scriple With malware, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
In 2018, Mr. Skrepal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with the nerve agent. Novichok In the English city of Salisbury, in an attack, the British government said that it was organized by Russian intelligence.
The sanctions also targeted the Africa initiative, stating that Russian intelligence officials were employed to operate information in Africa, including reducing public health programs and destabilizing various countries.
The campaign for Russia’s sabotage and disintegration across Europe attempts more murder from cyber attacks and publicity to arson.
Russia has been held responsible for more than 70 different attacks by Western authorities since the attack.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that military intelligence units on Friday targeted foreign aid to technology companies along with Kiev, ports, infrastructure and border crossings.
Although GRU officials are likely to have limited impact to target with restrictions, the Ministry said that the goal is to raise awareness about Russia’s campaign and increase the cost for people working for its services, including making them difficult to travel.