From football club owner to former KGB officer – who’s who in new sanctions list

Seven oligarchs were hit with sanctions following the announcement by the UK Government on Thursday morning.

Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, who recently announced his intention to sell the club in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is perhaps the most widely known of the new additions to the list, which now contains more than 200 individuals.

Here’s the lowdown on who has been targeted and the reasons identified.

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Roman Abramovich

Known for: The 55-year-old has overseen arguably the most defining era in Chelsea football club’s 117-year history.

He is also the largest stakeholder in London-listed Russian-focused steel mining and manufacturing company Evraz.

The Russian-Israeli – worth an estimated £9.4 billion – also has shares in Russian nickel producer Norilsk Nickel.

What the UK Government says about him: Mr Abramovich is described as “a prominent Russian businessman and pro-Kremlin oligarch” who is “associated with a person who is or has been involved in destabilising Ukraine and undermining and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine” – Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Indeed the men are described as having had “a close relationship for decades”, an association which has resulted in “financial or other material benefit” from the Russian regime, the Government said.

It said this included tax breaks received by companies linked to Mr Abramovich, and “preferential treatment and concessions” from the Kremlin.

It highlighted Evraz as being involved in providing financial services, or making available funds, economic resources, goods or technology “that could contribute to destabilising Ukraine”.

Oleg Deripaska

Known for: In November 2017, the oligarch was able to float aluminium producer EN+ Group on the London Stock Exchange, reportedly raising £1.5 billion.

This was despite his “well-known” links to the Kremlin and reports that both MI6 and US security officials had raised “serious concerns”.

The 54-year-old Russian national’s wealth is estimated to be £2.3 billion, and has a multi-million pound property portfolio in the UK.

What the UK Government says about him: Mr Deripaska is described as “a prominent Russian businessman and pro-Kremlin oligarch”, who is “closely associated” with both the Russian government and its president.

As with Mr Abramovich, it says Mr Deripaska is “involved in destabilising and threatening” Ukraine.

It says he “has been involved in obtaining benefit from or supporting the government of Russia, by carrying on business in, and owning or controlling and working as a director or equivalent in businesses in the Russian extractives and energy sectors” particularly useful to the Kremlin.

Andrey Kostin

Known for: Mr Kostin is president and chairman of Russia’s second-largest bank, VTB, which is controlled by the state.

The 65-year-old Russian national is deemed a “close associate” of Mr Putin who has “long supported” the Kremlin.

He has a net worth of an estimated £379 million, and has previously been sanctioned by the US and the EU.

What the UK Government says about him: Mr Kostin is described as “a prominent Russian businessman and banker,” with close links to Mr Putin.

It cites Mr Kostin’s position at VTB – and its being state-controlled – as key to the decision to add him to the sanctions list.

It described VTB as a Russian government-affiliated entity in a sector “of strategic significance to the Kremlin”.

Dmitri Lebedev

Known for: The 54-year-old Russian is the chairman of the board of directors with the privately owned Bank Rossiya, which is considered by the US to be “the personal bank for senior officials of the Russian Federation” including Mr Putin’s inner circle.

It has supported the integration of Crimea into Russia, and “offers support to military activities and the formation of major transport links and cards that allow the public to travel easily around the peninsula”, the UK Government previously said.

Mr Lebedev is also high up in asset management company ABR Management, and insurance heavyweight Sogaz – both of which are Bank Rossiya affiliates.

What the UK Government says about him: Mr Lebedev’s involvement in the financial sector is deemed to be of strategic significance to the Russian Government.

It cites Bank Rossiya’s opening of branches across Crimea since it was annexed following Russia’s invasion in 2014 as key to their decision to add him to the sanctions list.

It also highlighted Sogaz’s role in insuring the construction of the bridge over the Kerch Strait between the Russian mainland and the Crimean peninsula, thus supporting the internationally condemned annexation.

Alexei Miller

Known for: Mr Miller is long-time head of state-controlled Russian natural gas giant Gazprom, a firm known in the UK having previously sponsored football tournaments including the UEFA Champions League.

The 60-year-old is deemed to be “one of the most important executives” backing the Kremlin.

Mr Miller served under Mr Putin when the latter was deputy mayor in St Petersburg in the 1990s, and was made Gazprom boss by Mr Putin two decades ago.

What the UK Government says about him: Mr Miller is described as a “prominent Russian businessman with close personal ties to Vladimir Putin”.

It also cited Gazprom’s role in supplying gas to Crimea – illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 – as being financially involved with the Kremlin.

Igor Sechin

Known for: The 61-year-old Russian national holds several senior positions, including chief executive, with state oil firm Rosneft.

He is deemed a particularly close and influential ally of Mr Putin.

Mr Sechin has previously been sanctioned by the US and EU.

What the UK Government says about him: Mr Sechin is also described as a “prominent Russian businessman with close personal ties” to the Russian president.

It cites Mr Sechin’s senior role in a Russian-affiliated entity as being important to the government.

Nikolai Tokarev

Known for: The 71-year-old Russian is president of the state-owned pipeline company Transneft, and has previously been sanctioned, along with his daughter and wife, by the US.

Mr Tokarev is a former KGB officer who served alongside Mr Putin in East Germany towards the end of the Cold War.

It is claimed the pair have remained closely associated ever since.

What the UK Government says about him: Mr Tokarev is again described as a “prominent Russian businessman” with significant business interests and a “long-standing associate” of the Russian president.

His senior role with government-affiliated Transneft is of strategic significance to Russia, it said.

It said Mr Tokarev had benefited as a result.