The jet, owned by billionaire Eugene Shvidler, has been banned from flying to the UK and has been canceled, meaning any certificates allowing it to fly have been suspended. It came after the United Kingdom and the European Union joined the US in freezing the assets of Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova and Maria Vladimirovna Vorontsova, two of Putin’s daughters. The United Kingdom has also imposed sanctions on Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s daughter, Yekaterina Sergeyevna Vinokurova, saying the latest measures were designed to target the “luxurious lifestyle” of the Russian president’s inner circle. Transport Secretary Grand Saps said Mr Schwindler’s take-off aircraft – a Cessna aircraft with the G-LATO registration tail – had been targeted to show Putin’s “comrades” that their assets could not be kept in the UK. He was barred from leaving on March 19 by order of Mr. Shapps so that an investigation could be carried out into his property. Mr. Shvidler is a friend of Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich. Mr Saps said it was often “extremely complicated” to find out who owns private jets. The cabinet also announced that all Russian aircraft are now classified as “unworthy in the eyes of the UK” because “they are not being serviced properly now” due to sanctions. The planes had already been banned from UK airspace following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The government said the Western measures had a “catastrophic impact” on the Russian economy, with Putin’s war machine having “deep and devastating consequences.” Sanctions have so far frozen 27 275 billion – 60% of Russia’s foreign exchange reserves, according to government figures. The analysis “shows that Russia is heading for the deepest recession since the collapse of the Soviet Union,” the Foreign Office said. He added that the measures “caused rapid inflation”, with average consumer prices rising by 8.67 per cent since the invasion, which equates to annual inflation running at 137%. Foreign Minister Liz Truss said: “Our unprecedented package of sanctions is hurting the elite and their families, while it is downgrading the Russian economy to a level never seen before by Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union.
“But we need to do more. Through the G7, we end the use of Russian energy and strike at Putin’s ability to finance his illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. “Together, we are tightening the noose on Russia’s war machine, cutting off Putin’s cash sources.” The United States has pushed for sanctions against Putin’s daughters-in-law on Wednesday, saying they were responding to “war crimes” committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen, in view of the announced sanctions, revealed on Twitter that she is heading to Kyiv. Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger said he and Ms van der Layen had arrived with proposals for trade and humanitarian aid for President Volodymyr Zelenski and his government. For expert analysis and information on the biggest stories, listen to our podcast to find out what you need to know In addition to imposing sanctions on individuals, the bloc also approved an embargo on coal imports. This is the first time the EU has targeted Russia’s lucrative energy industry with sanctions over the war in Ukraine. The EU has said it has already begun work on additional sanctions, including on oil imports. The United Kingdom is also expected to announce further measures against the Russians following the announcement of new sanctions on Wednesday that hit major Russian banks and eight other oligarchs.