Russian-British Man Charged for Crypto Transfers to Pro-Russian Militias
A Russian-British dual citizen faced legal action in London for allegedly aiding pro-Russian forces in Ukraine. Mikhail Vlasov, 53, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. He is accused of sending crypto funds to separatist groups in eastern Ukraine, violating UK sanctions.
Mikhail Vlasov is charged with eight counts of breaching UK sanctions. The alleged crypto transactions took place between April 2022 adn April 2023.
Vlasov, who pleaded not guilty, was granted bail and will return to court later this month. The prosecutor, Anja Hohmeyer, emphasized the seriousness of the charges. She said Vlasov knowingly violated sanctions by sending crypto to fund military equipment for pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine.
According to Hohmeyer, the crypto was used to buy drones, ammunition, and uniforms for separatist groups in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. “This case highlights the deliberate attempt to bypass sanctions and support Russia’s military efforts,” she stated. The case is only the second of its kind in the UK as Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Sanctions aim to restrict financial support to these regions. The UK government has imposed these measures to limit Russia’s war efforts. The funds were reportedly used to buy military supplies for militia groups in the conflict zone. This underscores the growing concern over crypto’s role in circumventing international sanctions.
For more details, visit the Reuters report.
