British Citizens Tried For Sending Crypto To Russian Separatist Militia

Russian/Military Military Dmitry Yagodkin/TASS

JAKARTA - A Russian-UK dual national was tried in a London court on Tuesday on charges of sending cryptocurrencies to separatist militias fighting alongside Russian troops in eastern Ukraine to buy weapons and military equipment.

Mikhail Vlasov was charged with eight counts of British sanctions violations imposed on the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk, which prosecutors called "self-proclaimed pro-Russian separatist states" in Ukraine.

The 53-year-old was present at the Westminster promises Court and pleaded not guilty to all charges related to a total payment of around 4,000 pounds ($5,510) made between April 2022 and April 2023.

Prosecutor Anja Hohmeyer said Vlasov sent cryptocurrencies to pro-Russian organizations for military equipment for militia groups operating in the Luhansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic.

Organizations receiving Vlasov's money shipments have explained on their website that the funds received will be used to pay for drones, ammunition, weapons (and) uniforms.

"It's about someone who is deliberately involved in actions he knows can evade sanctions, but also helps Russia's army war efforts in eastern Ukraine," the prosecutor continued.

Hohmeyer said the allegations were the second time someone has been indicted in Britain for violating sanctions against Russia, which began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and now controls about 19% of the country's territory.

Vlasov was given a guarantee to attend the next court later this month.

He was registered with the Companies House as a Russian citizen and the only director of a limited company dissolved in 2019.

His lawyer said Vlasov became a British citizen in 2019.