ROMAN Abramovich has been accused of supplying steel for Russian tanks as biting new sanctions were brought against the embattled Chelsea boss.
The 55-year-old billionaire faces ruin as tough new restrictions were slapped on him over his home country’s bloody and brutal invasion of Ukraine.
Russian tanks pictured abandoned as Putin’s invasion of Ukraine grinds forwardCredit: ReutersRoman Abramovich pictured alongside Vladimir Putin back in 2016Credit: Getty – Contributor
Abramovich – who has a net worth of around £10billion – has been banned from selling Chelsea and has had all of his UK assets from frozen after weeks of speculation he could be subject to sanctions.
Documents published this morning by the British government accuse the Chelsea boss of having a “close relationship” with Putin.
And it also accuses him of being involved in “destabilising” Ukraine through his stake in steel manufacturers and mining company Evraz PLC.
The documents allege the firm may have provided steel to the Russian military which would have been used in the production of tanks.
Abramovich’s spokesman has previously denied Evraz steel was used for the Russian military, saying it was meant for “rail and construction”.
Russian tanks – often painted with the white ‘Z’ symbol – have played a major role in Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Chelsea BANNED from selling home and away tickets after Abramovich sanctions
Columns of armoured vehicles have been seen snaking across the country as Russia continues its grinding advance towards Kyiv.
However, Ukraine estimates it has destroyed 335 tanks and 1,105 armoured vehicles since Putin attacked on February 24.
🔵 Read our Russia – Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates
The government document reads Evraz has been involved in “undermining or threatening” Ukraine, which includes “potentially supplying steel to the Russian military which may have been used in the production of tanks”.
The document describes Abramovich as a “pro-Kremlin oligarch” and also accuses him of taking a “financial benefit or other material benefit” from his association with Putin.
Companies linked to him are said to have gotten tax breaks, received benefits on share sales, and won contracts in the run up to the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Abramovich took direct control of the steel group just last month – days before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
He moved 28.7 per cent of the company’s shares from Greenleas International, a company registered the British Virgin Islands.
Abramovich had already held the shares indirectly via the firm.
Evraz saw its shares begin to tank after the government announced sanctions – plunging 12.5 per cent on Thursday.
And the share price has been in free fall amid tensions between the West and Russia – down at least 81 per cent in the last month alone.
It comes as:
Abramovich had previously sold a £151million stake in Evraz back in 2019 – a move which the company said it hoped would reduce the sanctions risk.
Pressure had been growing for the government to sanction Abramovich as he was attempting to offload Chelsea by putting it up for sale.
Abramovich – who holds Russian, Israeli and Portuguese citizenship – has now seen the club thrown into limbo.
Western officials have been going after Russia’s cash and those who have close links to Putin, such as Abramovich.
It is hoped going after the mafia-style regime’s coffers will help put an end to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Abramovich is among seven Putin cronies sanctioned today to keep twisting the thumbscrews on Russia for waging a cruel war on Ukraine.
Roman Abramovich is facing a crushing wave of new sanctions which essentially freeze ChelseaCredit: PA
His once business partner Oleg Deripaska – an energy tycoon worth £2billion – has also been sanctioned today.
The Chelsea owner has a sprawling property portfolio in Britain – which he can no longer visit after a travel ban.
He bought the London club in 2003 and oversaw their revival – but has not attended a match at Stamford Bridge for a while.
The last home game attended by Abramovich was when Chelsea drew 1-1 with Man Utd at Stamford Bridge in November 2021.
Chelsea has been granted a special licence by the government to continue playing, allowing tonight’s match against Norwich to kick off.
Fans who already have tickets will still be able to attend games, but the club is banned from selling any more tickets.
Chelsea is also forbidden from selling any club merchandise from its official stores.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries is today speaking with the Premier League and Chelsea – who only found out at 9am today.
She said: “Football clubs are cultural assets and the bedrock of our communities. We’re committed to protecting them.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “There can be no safe havens for those who have supported Putin’s vicious assault on Ukraine.
“Today’s sanctions are the latest step in the UK’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people.
“We will be ruthless in pursuing those who enable the killing of civilians, destruction of hospitals and illegal occupation of sovereign allies.”
Document detailing the reasons for the sanctions placed on Roman Abramovich
Foreign secretary Liz Truss added: “Today’s sanctions show once again that oligarchs and kleptocrats have no place in our economy or society. With their close links to Putin they are complicit in his aggression.
“The blood of the Ukrainian people is on their hands. They should hang their heads in shame.”
Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy welcomed the sanctioning of Roman Abramovich “at last”.
The Labour MP said in a statement: “At last! This is the right decision. But it should not have taken the Government weeks.
“Too few oligarchs linked to Putin’s rogue regime have so far faced sanctions from the UK Government. We are lagging far behind allies in the EU and the US.
“It is right that, under pressure from Labour, the Government U-turned to strengthen sanctions legislation. Ministers must now move faster to continue to close the sanctions gap.”
Russia continues its bloody war in Ukraine but has been met with a staunch resistance from the valiant defenders.
Putin is understood to have believed he could roll over the country – which he has long threatened – in a matter of days.
I’m one of the first Brits to join Ukraine – they fight like lions
But two weeks on – the advances remains slow and Ukraine has given Russia a bloody nose.
But as its finds its invasion frustrated, the Kremlin is bombing civilians and is feared to resort to even more brutal tactics.
Ukraine is calling for more Western support – but the UK, US and their allies are now walking a tightrope to try and tackle Russia without sparking World War 3.
The Sun Online has contacted Abramovich’s spokesman for comment.
