UK bans video game controller exports to Russia, condemns ‘horrific’ Kyiv attack

Kyiv

London – The UK on Thursday announced a ban on video game controllers exported to Russia that could be repurposed to pilot drones and condemned Moscow’s latest deadly strike on Kyiv.

In a package of 150 new trade measures against Russia, Britain said it would impose a full ban on video game controller exports that could be used to pilot drones on the frontline with Ukraine.

“Gaming consoles will no longer be repurposed to kill in Ukraine,” sanctions minister Stephen Doughty said in a statement.

The measures come after a Russian missile strike on Kyiv killed nine people and left dozens wounded, a day after London hosted top Ukrainian officials.

“While Ukrainian ministers were in London working towards peace, (President Vladimir) Putin’s Russia was attacking the Ukrainian people,” UK foreign minister David Lammy said on X.

The sanctions, which came into force Thursday, also targeted software and technology exports used in Russia’s defence and energy sectors, including software used to search for new oil and gas wells.

“Today’s action clamps down on Russia’s sneaky trading and deprives Putin of the goods he desperately needs to fight his barbaric war,” junior foreign minister Doughty said.

Sanctions were also announced on exports of chemicals, electronics, machinery and metals to “limit the military and industrial capabilities of Russia”.

These include items such as electronic circuits and other components that can be used in weapons systems.

London has imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow’s “war machine”, including officials and organisations with links to Putin’s government, since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Western nations have also targeted key energy and oil sectors, imposing bans on Russian oil exports and setting an oil price cap on its global sales.

As of January 2025, 1,733 individuals and 382 organisations were subject to UK sanctions against Russia.

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