New British sanctions against Russian espionage

They had "spread chaos and disorder" on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The spies had "carried out a sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity over many years" both inside and outside the UK, it added.

They were involved in the bomb attack on the theater in Mariupol, for example, and were responsible for cyber operations in support of Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine.

Foreign Minister: Support for Ukraine is "unwavering"

In the UK, Russia has reportedly already targeted media organizations, telecommunications providers, political institutions and the energy infrastructure. Russian spies wanted to "destabilize Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the security of British citizens", said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, according to the statement.