The anti-war coalition of the West and its allies seeking to help Ukraine faces a variety of tasks. In particular, it is required to limit Russia’s long-term capabilities to pursue an aggressive foreign policy, as well as to contribute to the fall of the Vladimir Putin regime.
Immediately after February 24, sanctions were imposed on super-wealthy Russians. Firstly, this measure dealt a blow to Putin's inner circle, since in Russia, only those are able to raise huge money who are allowed to do so by the Kremlin. Secondly, it was a blow to the informal wallet of the Russian President. Thirdly, it responded to public demand. Bank accounts were arrested, assets were frozen, superyachts and luxurious mansions of oligarchs and the political elite were seized. This used to be top news worldwide but soon the media and public in the West somewhat lost interest in the topic.
However, the Russian opposition and the Ukrainian side have always considered restrictions against super-rich Russians to be insufficient. The Free Russia Forum, organized by Garry Kasparov, compiled a list of 1,500 people, designed to become the basis for personal sanctions. The list includes officials, businessmen, and propaganda pundits responsible for the usurpation of power, human rights violations, military aggression, and hate propaganda. Later, Aleksei Navalny's team with the Anti-Corruption Foundation drew their own list of 6,000 persons seen guilty of supporting the Putin regime.
In early June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced that it had prepared a list of more than 12,000 Russians, who Kyiv would seek to be sanctioned. So far, Ukraine is working with partners in the West on a mechanism that will prioritize personal sanctions on all those who contribute to or are involved in Russia's aggression. According to the latest news, the EU member states, the UK, and the U.S. are closely studying the Russian “party of war”, putting its members on record.
Thus, recently London included in the sanctions lists the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, Commissioner for Children's Rights under the President of the Russian Federation Maria Lvova-Belova, deputy of the Moscow City Duma Sergei Savostyanov, head of the Volga-Dnepr Airline Alexei Isaikin, representatives of the Kherson occupation administration, and several war criminals.
In turn, Berlin sent a signal to all Russian officials holding accounts and real estate or doing business in various EU countries. Thus, the German prosecutor's office seized three apartments and arrested bank accounts belonging to a deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation with the Communist Party, along with his wife. The decision was due to the fact that the Russian politician on February 23 voted in favor of recognizing the independence of the quasi-state entities “DPR” and “LPR” (recognized as terrorist organizations). Also, the German prosecutor's office filed a separate charge against the Russian deputy and his wife for violating the law by illegally renting out their real estate.
Thus, the West is bringing Russian society to the understanding that the restrictions will affect not only their top leadership and their close allies but literally everyone who supports the war against Ukraine. Also, by imposing personal sanctions, the West is trying to convince Russian citizens that speaking out against totalitarian tendencies in their country can later play in their favor.
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