Roman Abramovich is among seven oligarchs to be hit by sanctions as the UK Government ramps up the pressure on Russia over its devastating invasion of Ukraine.

The Chelsea FC owner has been made subject of an asset freeze and a travel ban in an updated sanctions list published on Thursday after ministers came under sustained pressure to target him.

The Government document says he has had a ‘close relationship for decades’ with the Russian President.

Other oligarchs have been sanctioned alongside Abramovich, including Oleg Deripaska – an industrialist worth £2 billion who has had close links with the British political establishment.

The list includes:

– Roman Abramovich: owner of Chelsea FC and has stakes in steel giant Evraz and Norilsk Nickel.

– Oleg Deripaska: has stakes in En+ Group.

– Igor Sechin: chief executive of Rosneft.

– Andrey Kostin: chairman of VTB bank.

– Alexei Miller: CEO of energy company Gazprom.

– Nikolai Tokarev: president of the Russia state-owned pipeline company Transneft.

– Dmitri Lebedev: chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank Rossiya.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘There can be no safe havens for those who have supported Putin’s vicious assault on Ukraine.

‘Today’s sanctions are the latest step in the UK’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. We will be ruthless in pursuing those who enable the killing of civilians, destruction of hospitals and illegal occupation of sovereign allies.’

Russia-Ukraine war: Everything you need to know

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, the country has suffered widespread damages and loss of life amid a major bombing campaign.

Over two million Ukrainian refugees have fled, as cities face shortages of food, water, heat, and medicine – with some having to resort to melting snow for water.

Countries have retaliated by imposing sanctions on Russia, while large companies like Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Coca-Cola have suspended business in the country.

However, despite these economic blows, Russian President Vladimir Putin hasn’t shown any signs of calling off the attack anytime soon.

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• Which companies are pulling out of Russia?
• Map reveals where Ukraine’s 2,000,000 refugees have fled to
• Zelensky goads Putin with cheeky wink after revealing where he is in Kyiv
• What does Z mean for Russia?
• How to sponsor a Ukrainian refugee or family

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: ‘Today’s sanctions show once again that oligarchs and kleptocrats have no place in our economy or society. With their close links to Putin they are complicit in his aggression.

‘The blood of the Ukrainian people is on their hands. They should hang their heads in shame.

‘Our support for Ukraine will not waver. We will not stop in this mission to ramp up the pressure on the Putin regime and choke off funds to his brutal war machine.’

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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