In this weekly update, we summarise the most notable updates in the UK sanctions world. If you have any questions in respect of any of the developments set out below, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our London Global and Government Trade team listed above.
Russia sanctions
- UK Government moves General Licence relating to the wind down of position involving St Petersburg Currency Exchange and JSC Petersburg Settlement Center to expired General Licences page: On July 2, 2025, the UK Government moved General Licence INT/2025/6275812 to the expired General Licences page of the UK Government website. The General Licence authorised the wind down of transactions involving either St. Petersburg Currency Exchange or Non-bank Credit Organization Joint-Stock Company Petersburg Settlement Center, subject to certain terms and conditions, and expired on June 19, 2025.
- UK government amends three entries on the UK Sanctions list under the Russia regime: On July 1, 2025, the UK amended the entries for Anatoliy Moiseevich Cherner, Yegor Yurievch Karasev, and the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation on the UK sanctions list under the Russia regime. (Notice_Russia_010725.pdf)
- The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) publishes updated advisory note on compliance with UK sanctions: On July 1, 2025, the CLC published an updated advisory note which inter alia states that the sanctions regime applies to all CLC practices regardless of what kind of services they offer, including conveyancing, probate and all CLC permissions such as will writing and power of attorney work. (Sanctions-advisory-update-July-2025-1.pdf)
- Mikhail Vlasov pleads not guilty in relation to eight charges of UK sanctions violations in connection with the alleged sending of cryptocurrency to militia groups in the LNR and DNR: On July 1, 2025, Mikhail Vlasov, a Russian-British dual national, pleaded not guilty in relation to eight counts of breaching UK sanctions by sending Bitcoin to pro-Russian separatist militias in eastern Ukraine to fund weapons and military equipment. (UK man in court charged with sending crypto to Russian separatists | Reuters)
- UK Government updates UK support to Ukraine: factsheet: On June 30, 2025, the UK government updated the UK support to Ukraine: factsheet, which summarises how the UK is supporting Ukraine following the Russian invasion. (UK support to Ukraine: factsheet - GOV.UK)
Haiti Sanctions
- UK Government amends Haiti sanctions regime to align with UN sanctions: On July 2, 2025, the UK Government laid before Parliament the Haiti (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 to align the UK's Haiti sanctions regime with UN sanctions. Among other things, the amendments extend restrictions on small arms, light weapons and ammunition to military goods and military technology, and introduce new trade restrictions, including in relation to the transfer or military technology and the provision of technical assistance relating to military goods and military technology. (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/786/introduction/made)
Other Sanctions
- UK proscribes Palestine Action as terrorist organisation: On July 5, 2025, Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000 following a unsuccessful application to block the UK Government's action in the High Court. (https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Ammori-v-Secretary-of-State-for-the-Home-Department.pdf; https://www.gov.uk/government/news/three-groups-to-be-proscribed; https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2025/9780348273373)
- UK Government publishes Notice to Exporters on UK arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan: On July 3, 2025, the UK Government published NTE 2025/17, which states that the UK has updated is interpretation of the OSCE arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan. In particular, the UK's embargo now applies to weapons, ammunition and munitions that might be used on the land border between Armenia and Azerbaijan by military, police, security forces and related government entities of either state. (NTE 2025/17: update to the UK arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan - GOV.UK ; UK arms embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan - GOV.UK)
- OFSI releases four new FAQs: On July 3, 2025, OFSI released four new FAQs. FAQ 149 was added to provide guidance on what constitutes 'economic resources'. FAQs 150 and 151 provide further clarification on whether licences are required from both OFSI as well as Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories for the same activity. FAQ 152 provides guidance regarding the reporting of securities held at designated local Russian registrars At the same time, OFSI withdrew FAQs 123 and 124, which related to equities held at the National Settlement Depository. (UK Financial Sanctions FAQs - GOV.UK)
- UK High Court rules that DBT's decision to exempt export of F-35 parts to Israel was lawful: On June 30, 2025, the UK High Court rejected a claim by NGO Al-Haq against the Department for Business and Trade over its decision to exempt F-35 parts when it suspended certain arms export licences to Israel in 2024. The High Court ruled that the UK's decision to allow the export of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel was lawful, even though the government acknowledged they could potentially be used in violation of international humanitarian law in Gaza. (High Court Judgment Template; UK court rejects Palestinian NGO's case over F-35 parts to Israel | Reuters)
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