All Russian aircrafts and jets have been banned from entering UK air space - and can now be detained and have their passengers arrested if they do so.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced the latest salvo action against Russia this evening after he promised: "We will suffocate Putin's cronies’ ability to continue living as normal while thousands of innocent people die."
In a letter, he wrote: “Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated attack against a sovereign democratic state.
“The UK government has shown there would be massive consequences and a severe cost for any Russian military incursion into Ukraine.”
It went on to confirm that the government does not consider it “appropriate” to allow any Russian aircraft to enter UK air space.
From February 25, there has been laws preventing Russian aircrafts entering UK air space, but the new move now attaches them to other sanctions already passed by the government, and the criminal offences in response to breaching them.
So now, any aircraft registered in Russia, owned by a Russian or a person connected to Russia, or any linked to individuals designated in the sanctions is slapped with the ban.
From 5pm this evening, air traffic control could direct Russian crafts to not enter UK air space, and even go a step further, detaining any who break the rules.
This ban could affect oligarchs like Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich whose private jets may be refused entry into the country.
This comes as the government earlier announced it would ban Russian oil imports by the end of this year.
However, the ban would not stretch to gas too.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the transition would "give the market, businesses and supply chains more than enough time to replace Russian imports - which make up 8% of UK demand".
However, the Conservative government did not say if the UK would wean itself off Russian gas as energy costs continue to spiral.
Officials insisted Russian gas makes up less than 4% of the UK supply.
But, US President Joe Biden went a step further and banned Russian oil and gas imports this afternoon.
The move came on the same day Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky made a historic address to the House of Commons.
He praised Boris Johnson but continued demands for a no-fly zone, and said: "We will fight to the end."
Zelensky received a standing ovation during his address via video link in which he echoed Winston Churchil and William Shakespeare.
He listed a devastating day-by-day rundown of Russia's actions in its invasion of Ukraine, from killing 50 children to bombing hospitals and leaving those in Mariupol running out of food.
He closed by saying: "The question for us now is to be or not to be - the Shakespearean question. For 13 days this question could have been asked but now I can get you a definitive answer. It’s definitely yes, to be."
Zelensky has survived three assassination attempts and gave his address live from Ukraine, where it was strictly time-limited to prevent Russians tracking his signal.
