Russia Bars Seven British Defence Industry Executives from Entry

Moscow (ANTARA) — Russia has barred seven senior British defence industry executives from entering the country, accusing their companies of supplying Ukraine with weapons and military technology, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday (27 October).

In a statement published on its official website, the ministry said the executives had been added to Russia’s entry-ban list because their companies supplied weapons and technology used in Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russian territory.

Three of the executives are from Rotron Aerospace: chief executive Alex Head, chief military adviser Kev Oliver and board chairman George Zambellas. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the company was involved in developing the Brakestop long-range missile project.

The other four are Robert Gascoyne, chief executive of MGI Engineering, which is also involved in the Brakestop project; Neil Appleton, chief executive of drone manufacturer Malloy Aeronautics; Paul Webb, director and co-founder of reconnaissance drone manufacturer Tekever UK; and Julian Cracknell, chief technology and information officer at BAE Systems.

The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Britain of supplying Ukraine with weapons, missile technology and drones in order to inflict maximum damage on Russia.

The ministry also criticised the British government’s defence spending priorities, arguing that funds allocated to military contractors could instead be directed towards supporting Britain’s civilian sector amid domestic economic and social challenges.