An Irishman working in Russia has been added to the UK’s latest sanctions list for his affiliation to the Russian government through his work.
It is understood that the man, born in Kilkenny, has been a journalist for the local news channel, RT, which is known for its affiliation to Putin’s government.
Brian McDonald, also known as Bryan MacDonald, now features on the UK’s sanctions list alongside around 29 other people and organisations.
READ MORE: Chilling Vladimir Putin news coming out of Russia just days after Ireland threat
Among the sanctions facing Mr McDonald and anyone else deemed connected to the Russian President includes having assets frozen.
The latest bout of consequences is not only facing individuals but also Russian broadcasters and newspapers as a whole.
The UK government has said they consider RT to have benefitted from Russian government support and claim they operated in a "strategically significant sector to the Government of Russia".
The financial sanctions notice confirmed that: "RT is owned or controlled by ANO TVNOVOSTI, which is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by carrying on business as a Government of Russia-affiliated entity and carrying on business in a strategically significant sector to the Government of Russia."
The notice says Mr McDonald's work for RT meant the UK government considered him to be "a member of, or associated with, a person involved in destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine, or obtaining a benefit from or supporting the government of Russia."
Meanwhile, the EU today announced a new list of sanctions facing Russia that particularly targets oil imports.
Officials plan to phase out all oil imports from Russia and will follow suit with the UK in sanctioning its biggest bank, state broadcasters, and people responsible for alleged atrocities in Ukraine.
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