On Wednesday, the UK government announced 150 new sanctions targeting Russia, including a ban on video game controllers to prevent their use in deadly drone attacks.
These measures are aimed at weakening the Kremlin’s ability to fund its invasion of Ukraine.
UK officials have reported that the Russian military has been using generic video game controllers to operate drones used in attacks on Ukraine. "We are banning video game controllers from being exported to Russia, preventing their use in piloting drones on the front lines. Gaming consoles will no longer be repurposed to kill in Ukraine," stated UK Sanctions Minister Stephen Doughty.
The new sanctions not only target weapons programming and dual-use military technologies, like the game controllers, but also impose restrictions on Russia’s energy sector, limiting its ability to explore and exploit new oil and gas resources. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) highlighted the sanctions on X, stating, "BANNED: export of video game controllers used to pilot Russian drones on the front line in Ukraine."
This announcement follows a new wave of Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, with over 200 drones and missiles launched during an overnight strike. "We condemn Russia’s latest vicious attacks on Kyiv and across Ukraine, killing and injuring dozens of civilians," commented FCDO Secretary of State David Lammy. "These are not the actions of a man of peace," he added, referencing the ongoing aggression despite Ukrainian peace efforts.
In addition, Doughty met with Ukraine's Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, to discuss supporting Ukraine’s energy sector amid Russia's relentless attacks. The European Union had previously implemented similar sanctions in February, banning the export of video game console accessories and joysticks to Russia.
The UK's new technology sanctions package also targets military and dual-use technology, critical industry technology, oil refining tech, quantum computing, maritime, aviation, space technologies, and defense and security equipment.
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