INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Britain in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly 20 months ago to more than 1,600.London said it was targeting the 11 officials
commission, were also penalized.All those targeted face foreign asset freezes and travel restrictions.Moscow held what London
10.The Kremlin claims it won local backing to annex the four eastern and southern Ukrainian territories in the ballots last year, despite
not having full military control over the regions.It also says the United Russia party, which backs President Vladimir Putin, won this
month's dubious elections.The votes have been dismissed by Ukraine and its Western allies as sham contests, and Kyiv's forces are fighting
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also criticized the "sham elections" earlier this month, warning that "any individuals" involved in
facilitating them "may be subject to sanctions and visa restrictions."The European Union also told Russia this month that there would be
"consequences" for those involved in staging the votes.The bloc has already imposed 11 rounds of sanctions against Moscow since February
