The United Kingdom has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, targeting networks accused of exploiting vulnerable Nigerians and other foreign nationals to support its war effort in Ukraine, while also tightening restrictions on entities linked to the country’s drone production. According to a statement issued by the British High Commission on Wednesday, the measures announced form part of a broader crackdown on what UK authorities described as Russia’s use of human trafficking and illicit supply chains to sustain its military campaign. The statement said a total of 35 individuals and entities were sanctioned, including those allegedly recruiting and funnelling migrants, among them Nigerians, into frontline combat roles and weapons production.
According to the UK government, some of the sanctioned networks have been “deceptively recruiting foreign migrants in search of a better life” and deploying them either to the battlefield or to work in drone manufacturing facilities tied to Russia’s military industrial complex. Polina Alexandrovna Azarnykh is among the names mentioned, accused of facilitating the movement of recruits from several countries, including Nigeria, to Ukraine, where they are reportedly sent to the frontlines under harsh conditions and with minimal training.
Speaking on the development, UK Sanctions Minister Stephen Doughty condemned the practice, saying, “The practice of exploiting vulnerable people to prop up Russia’s failing and illegal war in Ukraine is barbaric.” He further remarked that “These sanctions expose and disrupt the operations of those trafficking migrants as cannon fodder and feeding Putin’s drone factories with illicit components to target innocent civilians and vital infrastructure.”
The UK government noted that Russia fired the equivalent of over 200 drones per day into Ukraine in March 2026, the highest ever monthly total, and is likely to exceed this record in April. The latest sanctions also target companies based in Thailand and China which have allegedly been supplying critical drone components to Russia.
Reacting from Abuja, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Gill Lever, highlighted the direct impact on Nigerians and warned against falling victim to such schemes. She stated, “Today, the UK sanctioned Russian-linked networks and individuals involved in the deceptive recruitment of vulnerable Nigerian men and women, who were misled into joining Russia’s frontline in its war against Ukraine.” She added that “These sanctions shine a light on those who seek to exploit vulnerable Nigerians to sustain Russia’s illegal war, including through schemes such as the Alabuga Start Programme.” According to the envoy, “Such practices knowingly place innocent civilians in grave danger, showing a complete disregard for their safety and well-being. Tragically, some have already lost their lives as a result.”
Russia has continued to deny luring Nigerians or other Africans into its war with Ukraine. In February, Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyolyshev, specifically stated that Russia is not involved in any government backed programme to recruit Nigerians to fight in the war in Ukraine, insisting that any such activity, if it exists, is not connected with the Russian state.
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