UK sanctions networks exploiting Nigerians for Russia’s war in Ukraine

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.

“The UK continues to disrupt Russia’s military supply chains and the callous trafficking of foreign migrants to support its war machine. Sanctions announced today directly target individuals trafficking vulnerable migrants to fight on the frontline of Putin’s war, as well as companies supplying Russia’s drone factories.

“Fresh action demonstrates continued UK leadership to combat Russian aggression at every level, ratchet up economic pressure on the Kremlin and support Ukraine for as long as it takes to secure a just and lasting peace,” the statement said.

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.

“The UK has announced a raft of new sanctions to curb production of Russian drones and the nefarious networks that are exploiting vulnerable migrants from across the globe to support Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. The latest action hits 35 individuals and entities, including those responsible for human trafficking networks, funnelling exploited migrants into Russia’s war machine.

“Among those sanctioned is Pavel Nikitin, whose company develops Russia’s VT-40 drone, a cheap, mass-produced attack drone which has been used extensively by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine.

“Also sanctioned are three individuals with links to the Russian state involved in recruiting individuals to travel to Ukraine to fight for Russia. This includes Polina Alexandrovna Azarnykh, who, backed by the Russian state, has been facilitating the travel of individuals from countries including Egypt, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Morocco, Syria and Yemen through Russia to Ukraine, where they are deployed with minimal training and under dire conditions to the frontline to sustain Russia’s illegal war of aggression,” the statement added.

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.

“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 continues to lead international efforts to disrupt Russia’s war machine, ramping up pressure on its economy and confronting its hybrid threats. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in defence of European security and our shared values.”

The UK said Russia has intensified its use of drones in Ukraine, launching an average of more than 200 drones daily in March 2026, the highest monthly figure recorded so far, with indications that the trend continued into April.

“Russia continues to terrorise Ukraine by indiscriminately using drones, killing and injuring innocent civilians and damaging critical infrastructure. Russia fired the equivalent of over 200 drones per day into Ukraine in March 2026, the highest ever monthly total. Russia is likely to exceed this grim record for a second consecutive month in April,” the commission stated.

The statement added that the latest sanctions also target companies based in Thailand and China, which have allegedly been supplying critical drone components to Russia.

“Sanctioned targets also include individuals and entities based in third countries, including Thailand and China, responsible for supplying drone components and other critical military goods to Russia,” the statement said.

Reacting from Abuja, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Gill Lever, highlighted the direct impact on Nigerians, warning against falling victim to such schemes.

“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.

“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.

“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,” the envoy said.

The Deputy High Commissioner added that, in February, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had advised citizens to exercise caution and avoid these schemes, the British High Commission intends for today’s sanctions to further reduce the risk of harm and help protect others from similar exploitation.

The UK government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine and maintaining pressure on Russia, stating that it would continue to deploy sanctions to disrupt what it described as Moscow’s “hybrid threats” and hold those involved accountable.

Russia, on its part, 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.