By Max Colchester
LONDON--The British government on Thursday became the first Western country to impose sanctions against Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich as it looks to further turn the screw on Kremlin-linked businessmen.
Mr. Abramovich has already said he is in the process of trying to sell his soccer club Chelsea FC and his London home. The U.K. government said his assets will now be frozen and a travel ban imposed.
Other billionaires targeted by U.K. sanctions include Oleg Deripaska and Igor Sechin in the U.K.'s most high-profile sanctions sweep to date. Mr. Abramovich has a net worth estimated at GBP9.4 billion, the British government said. The U.K. government said that it will provide a special license that will allow Chelsea FC to continue to operate despite the sanctions.
"The U.K. will continue to lead global efforts to provide Ukraine with economic, diplomatic, humanitarian and defensive support," the U.K. government said.
Write to Max Colchester at max.colchester@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
03-10-22 0443ET
