These regulations, which come into force on 20 February 2026, amend the Russia Sanctions Regulations 2022 (the principal regulations).

All the amendments fulfil the purpose of the principal regulations, which is to give effect to the Russia Sanctions Act 2022 by imposing sanctions in response to Russia’s military actions in relation to Ukraine (and in response to any assistance given to Russia from any other country or person in connection with those actions).

Regulations 4 and 5 add the names of entities and individuals to Schedule 2 of the principal regulations so that the sanctions regime applies to them. Those entities and individuals are—

• actors contributing to Russia’s military-industrial complex through the production, purchase, distribution, or research of critical technologies and equipment; and

• actors contributing to Russia’s evasion of sanctions through providing alternative payment platforms for sanctioned persons; and

• actors contributing to Russia’s malicious cyber activity targeting Ukraine; and

• actors from Belarus that have facilitated the production or transfer of military equipment for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; and

• actors from Iran that have facilitated the production or transfer of military equipment for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; and

• actors from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that have provided military assistance to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Regulation 6 amends Schedule 2A of the principal regulations to change the price cap for oil under Harmonised System code 2709 from US$47.60 per barrel to US$44.10 per barrel.

Regulation 7 adds the International Maritime Organization ship identification numbers of certain ships to Schedule 6 of the principal regulations so that they are restricted ships for the purposes of regulation 8 of the principal regulations. Those ships form part of Russia’s shadow fleet and are involved in the transport of Russian oil.