Ukraine war: New Russia sanctions, drone attack on Black Sea fleet, Bakhmut counteroffensive gains

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on several Russian figures, including a minister and a well-known journalist, accusing them of aiding Moscow's "forced deportation of Ukrainian children".

The new measures announced by London on Monday target a total of 14 individuals and entities in response to what it called "Russia's attempts to destroy Ukrainian national identity".

The targets are banned from entering the UK and subject to asset freezes. They include Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov and journalist Anton Krassovski, once a figure close to the liberal opposition and LGBT+ activist turned pro-government. 

Last year, Krassovski called for the burning and drowning of Ukrainian children on the Russian broadcaster RT, for which he was dismissed.

Russia is accused of transferring thousands of Ukrainian children to areas under its control as well as on its own territory. According to London, at least 19,000 Ukrainian children are involved.

Vladimir Putin is personally accused by the International Criminal Court of war crimes for  "illegal deportations" since the 2022 February invasion. 

Moscow rejects these accusations.

In total, the UK has sanctioned more than 1,600 individuals and entities in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine claimed on Monday to have taken back 18 sq km  from Russian forces across the whole of Ukrainian territory in a week

This figure included territory around the devastated eastern city of Bakhmut, which fell under Russian control in May after months of gritty warfare. 

Around 7 sq km was "liberated" from the Bakhmut frontline, plus 11 sq km in the south, wrote Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Maliar wrote on Telegram.

According to her, Ukraine has recaptured 180 sq km in the