Abramovich on British intelligence target list

Roman Abramovich is among a group of Russian oligarchs to be targeted by British intelligence as part of a sustained campaign to disrupt Vladimir Putin, The Daily Telegraph understands.

A list of six wealthy highprofile Russians has been drawn up by intelligence agencies and submitted to Theresa May.

The prime minister has approved the list and the names of the oligarchs will be circulated across Whitehall departments and shared with the UK’s allies in Europe and in North America in an attempt to disrupt their ability to travel and to maintain their business empires.

It signals a ratcheting up of Britain’s new cold war with the Kremlin following the nerve agent attack on Salisbury in March.

A senior Whitehall security source said: ‘‘The aim of the measures we intend to take is to limit their manoeuvrability and their ability to travel and operate freely in Britain, Europe and elsewhere.

‘‘These individuals have been identified as having an extremely close professional and financial relationship with President Putin. We believe they are involved in doing the Kremlin’s bidding on a whole range of fronts, which includes using their financial muscle on behalf of the Russian state. ‘‘Roman Abramovich is on the list because he is believed to be Putin’s most important financial supporter.’’

The source continued: ‘‘Targeting these individuals will be an important part of the UK Government’s response to the Salisbury attack.’’ Abramovich’s spokesman declined to comment but a source said the Chelsea FC owner was emphatically not in Putin’s inner circle.

The measures are thought to include an attempt to revoke visas, impose travel restrictions and target UK-based financial and property assets. It follows an announcement by the Home Office this week that it was suspending the ‘‘golden visa’’ scheme that allows wealthy foreigners to acquire British visas. – Telegraph Group