Staff who work on yachts and planes of Russian oligarchs could face UK sanctions

The superyacht Phi, which was seized by the UK government, at Canary Wharf, London, on 29 March. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Staff and crew who work on yachts or planes owned by Russian oligarchs could face UK sanctions under a move by the Foreign Office to extend the penalties.

The aim is to make it harder for the yachts – sometimes indirectly owned by oligarchs – to be maintained by crew and covers anyone providing technical assistance and maintenance to a yacht or plane. It will also restrict the ability of oligarchs to find staff willing to sail or fly their assets out of the UK jurisdiction.