UK sanctions target Putin’s closest entourage including Kabaeva

The UK has issued sanctions against a dozen members of Vladimir Putin’s family and inner circle including his wife and Alina Kabaeva, Report informs, citing The Guardian.

The country's government argues that given the Russian president officially owns only modest assets, these are the people 'who help support his lavish lifestyle.'

The Foreign Office announcement means asset freezes and travel bans will be imposed on, among others: Lyudmila Ocheretnaya, Putin’s former wife; Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic rhythmic gymnast; and Mikhail Shelomov, a business owner and Putin’s first cousin.

“We are exposing and targeting the shady network propping up Putin’s luxury lifestyle and tightening the vice on his inner circle,” Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, said in a statement. “We will keep going with sanctions on all those aiding and abetting Putin’s aggression until Ukraine prevails.”