The UK is freezing the assets of Abramovich’s Steel Group

The UK government announced on Thursday (5) that it had frozen the assets of Evros Steel Group, a major partner of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, one of the targets of sanctions imposed on oligarchy groups near the Kremlin in response to the Kremlin invasion. Kremlin. Ukraine.

The Evros Group “operates in strategically important sectors” and produces “28% of Russian rail wheels and 97% of the country’s tracks”, which is “very important because Russia uses the railways to carry military equipment”. Forward in Ukraine “, the British government justified its decision.

In addition to previous sanctions, Downing Street described in a statement that “the move will further deter companies operating in strategic areas in Russia.”

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the UK granted permission to more than 100 companies and more than 1,000 people, including Abramovich, the owner of the English football club Chelsea, which he had to sell.

Contacted by AFP, the Evraz team did not act immediately. The company has always said it does not control the Russian oligarchy group, which is a “significant” shareholder with 28.64% of its capital.

EVRAZ PLC