FCDO announces sanctions against Russian GRU units and officers for cyber attacks
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has imposed sanctions on three units of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and 18 military intelligence officers. The measures target units responsible for cyber operations against UK infrastructure and the 2022 Mariupol Theatre bombing. The sanctions package includes restrictions on GRU Unit 26165, which conducted reconnaissance for missile strikes, and officers linked to the 2018 Salisbury poisonings. Additional sanctions target three leaders of 'African Initiative' for conducting Russian-backed disinformation campaigns in West Africa.