UK imposes sanctions on Russian Patriarch Kirill, “vocal supporter of Putin’s war”

The UK announced a new wave of sanctions on Russians on Thursday, which include the country’s Patriarch Kirill. 

“Just announced: I have sanctioned: Patriarch Kirill, Head of Russian Orthodox Church and vocal supporter of Putin’s war; enablers and perpetrators of Putin’s war who have brought suffering to Ukraine,” British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Twitter.

Sanctions were also imposed on Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for her forced transfer and adoption of Ukrainian children.

Lvova-Belova has been accused of enabling 2,000 vulnerable children being forcibly taken from the Luhansk and Donetsk regions and allowing a new policy to facilitate their forced adoptions in Russia.

“Today we are targeting the enablers and perpetrators of Putin’s war who have brought untold suffering to Ukraine, including the forced transfer and adoption of children. We will not tire of defending freedom and democracy, and keeping up the pressure on Putin, until Ukraine succeeds. Putin’s allies continue to choose to turn a blind eye to alleged war crimes and support his bloody offensive,” Truss said.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 of this year.