**UK Sanctions Russian Spies Behind Deadly Theatre Attack in Ukraine**

The United Kingdom has taken a significant step in holding Russia accountable for the devastating attack on a Mariupol theatre in Ukraine that killed hundreds of civilians. The UK government has sanctioned 18 officers working for Russian military intelligence, known as the GRU, along with three units, in connection with preparations for the 2022 bomb attack.

The Mariupol theatre was being used as a civilian shelter from Russian attacks, and its location made it a particularly vulnerable target. Despite efforts to protect civilians, the theatre was hit by Russian air strikes on March 16, 2022, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life. The UK government has accused Russia of deliberately targeting this location, aiming to sow chaos and undermine support for Ukraine.

The sanctions imposed by the UK are part of a broader campaign to hold Russia accountable for its actions. Western officials have attributed over 70 different attacks to Russia since 2022, with the goal of destabilizing Europe, undermining European societies, and eroding support for Ukraine.

**Russia's Campaign of Sabotage and Disruption**

The UK government has revealed that Russian military intelligence units have been conducting a range of operations in support of their campaign. These include cyber attacks, propaganda efforts, arson, and attempted assassinations. The GRU is accused of accessing CCTV cameras near military facilities, ports, train stations, and border crossings in Ukraine, Moldova, and 11 NATO countries – including the US – to track foreign aid shipments.

Unit 26165, a highly sophisticated and well-established cyber actor, has been identified as one of the key units behind these operations. This unit conducted online reconnaissance on civilian bomb shelters in Mariupol and Kharkiv before carrying out the attack on the theatre. In addition to this attack, Unit 26165 is also accused of targeting email accounts belonging to the daughter of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.

**Targeting British Citizens**

The UK government has warned that the GRU's campaign poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to European societies and British citizens. Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that "GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens."

**Sanctions and Response**

The sanctions imposed by the UK include asset freezes and travel bans for those targeted. While the effectiveness of these measures may be limited, the goal is to raise awareness of Russia's campaign and increase the cost to individuals working for its services.

In a statement, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "GRU spies are running a campaign to destabilise Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens. Unit 26165 is a highly sophisticated, well-established cyber actor which conducts both advanced intelligence gathering and hack-and-leak operations that target Ukraine, European, and NATO nations."

**Additional Targets**

Friday's sanctions also targeted African Initiative, which employed Russian intelligence officers to carry out information operations in Africa, including undermining public health programs and destabilising various countries. The UK government has warned that this unit is likely behind several high-profile hacking operations, including the 2016 hack on the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the US.

In conclusion, the sanctions imposed by the UK are a significant step towards holding Russia accountable for its actions. While the effectiveness of these measures may be limited, they serve as an important reminder that Western governments will not tolerate such brazen attempts to undermine democracy and destabilize Europe.