The new sanctions package targeting 150 companies is aimed primarily at cutting off access to innovative software and technologies that support Russia’s military and energy sectors. The list of sanctioned goods also includes electronic components that are “critical” to Russia’s military-industrial complex, such as amplifiers and circuits. The ban on energy-related software exports covers goods that can help find and develop new oil and gas wells.

“Cutting off Russia’s energy revenues will drain Putin’s war chest — that’s why we’re shutting down the sale of sophisticated software used to cash in on new oil and gas reserves, preventing UK expertise from being used to pour fresh fuel into Russia’s war machine. We’re also banning outright video game controllers going to Russia, preventing them from being used to pilot drones on the frontline, meaning gaming consoles will no longer be repurposed to kill in Ukraine,” said Stephen Doughty, the UK’s Sanctions Minister.

Previously, the Trap Aggressor media project of the StateWatch think tank conducted a major review of the Russian FPV drone market and an investigation into a Russian developer for gamers who also works for a Russian defense company.