Britain launched a new package of Russia-related sanctions today (12 September), targeting ships carrying Russian oil, as well as companies and individuals supplying electronics, chemicals and explosives used to make Russian weapons.

The package was a response to recent Russian aggression, the British government said in a statement, referring to the higher numbers of Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in recent months, and the violation of NATO airspace over Poland on Wednesday (10 September).

“These sanctions form the next stage in the UK’s leading efforts to ramp up economic pressure alongside our security support.”

Russia’s embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while China’s embassy said it had made “serious representations” to Britain objecting to the sanctions against three Chinese entities.

“These sanctions are unilateral actions without any basis in international law. They undermine the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises,” a spokesperson said.