On November 30, 2022, the UK announced the imposition of sanctions upon 22 officials responsible for the forced enlistment of citizens to fight in Russia’s war in Ukraine. Among the sanctioned persons is Deputy Prime Minister Denis Valentinovich and several governors and regional heads of some of the poorest ethnic republics in Russia, including Dagestan, Ingushetia and Kalmykia, from which a significant number of conscripts have been drawn.
In connection with the recruitment of criminals, the UK sanctioned Arkady Gostev, Director of Federal Penitentiary Service of the Russian Federation, and Dmitry Bezrukikh, head of the Rostov region’s Federal Punishment Service. The UK also sanctioned two election officials responsible for organizing the sham referendums in the four occupied areas of Ukraine.