UK imposes stiff import tariffs for Russia

The UK on Tuesday added over 370 more prominent Russians and entities to its sanctions list and hiked tariffs on a swathe of imports from vodka to steel, and banned exports of luxury goods in retaliation for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The government announced a new wave of asset freezes and travel bans for 350 people and 23 Russian entities. The oligarchs sanctioned on Tuesday have a combined fortune of over 100 billion pounds (120 billion euros).

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the earlier the sanctions now extended to 51 oligarchs and their families, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin's "political allies and propagandists".

"Working closely with our allies, we will keep increasing the pressure on Putin and cut off funding for the Russian war machine," she said.

Among those added to the sanctions list were Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven, who are already subject to European Union sanctions, and who this month stepped down from the LetterOne investment fund they co-founded, and Alfa Bank founder German Khan.

Former prime minister and president Dmitry Medvedev, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov, and his foreign ministry counterpart Maria Zakharova were also placed on the list.

The UK has been accused of being slow to act against Russian interests compared with its near neighbours in the EU. Oligarchs previously targeted with travel bans and asset freezes include Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, as well as Putin and his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

The UK has meanwhile severed ties with Russian banks, grounded planes and stopped ships from using its ports, and plans to phase out Russian oil imports by the year-end.