Sanctions Update: Russia

Tuesday, 3 March 2026

This news release is issued to publicise the removal of one entry under the Russia sanctions regime.

The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 have effect in the Isle of Man by the Sanctions (Implementation of UK Sanctions) Regulations 2024 ('the Regulations'), which are made under the Sanctions Act 2024. This regime imposes financial, trade, aircraft, shipping and immigration sanctions for the purposes of encouraging Russia to cease actions which destabilise Ukraine, or undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine. 

Individuals and entities who are designated under this regime are included on the UK Sanctions List.

Types of sanctions applicable under this regime:

  • Asset freeze
  • Other financial and investment restrictions
  • Trade
  • Immigration
  • Aircraft
  • Ships

On 2 March 2026 the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated the List. This list provides details of those designated under sanctions legislation.}

Removal

One entry has been removed from the UK Sanctions List and is no longer subject to an asset freeze and trust services sanctions.

Individual

  1. John Michael ORMEROD

Unique ID: RUS2639

Regime name: The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

Sanctions imposed: Asset freeze, Trust Services Sanctions, Director Disqualification Sanction, Transport sanctions: see 'Other information'

Other information: Transport sanctions: where transport sanctions apply, a ship owned, controlled, chartered or operated by a designated person is prohibited from entering a port in the UK, may be given a movement or a port entry direction, can be detained, and will be refused permission to register on the UK Ship Register or have its existing registration terminated. Similarly, an aircraft owned, chartered or operated by a designated person is prohibited from overflying or landing in the UK, may be given a movement direction, can be detained or moved to a specified airport, and will be refused permission to register on the CAA Aircraft Register or have its existing registration terminated. This also includes a prohibition of technical assistance relating to aircraft and ships: a prohibition on the provision of technical assistance relating to aircraft or ships will prevent a person from directly or indirectly providing technical assistance to, or for the benefit of, the designated person, where that technical assistance relates to an aircraft or ship. The Director Disqualification Sanction was imposed on 09/04/2025.

UK statement of reasons: The Secretary of State considers that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that John Michael ORMEROD has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by owning or controlling directly or indirectly, or working as a director (whether executive or nonexecutive) of, a person, other than an individual, carrying on business in a sector of strategic significance to the Government of Russia, namely the Russian energy sector.

Dobs: dd/11/1950

Nationalities: United Kingdom

Genders: Male

Name: John Michael ORMEROD

Name type: Primary Name

Titles: Mr

Designation source: UK

Date designated: 20/05/2025

Last updated: 16/01/2026

OFSI group ID: 16863

What you must do in relation to removals/delistings

You must check whether you hold any frozen assets owned by this individual (whether directly or indirectly). These assets must now be unfrozen for financial sanctions purposes under Manx law.

However, you may have other regulatory reasons to keep the assets frozen (for example, under other country’s sanctions obligations). You should document these decisions and maintain a record of the action you have taken.

You are not required to report any action to unfreeze assets.

Note: determining if a customer is on the Sanctions Lists includes whether any corporate entity is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a person on the Sanctions Lists.

Further guidance on false positives and delistings and what to do can be found in the Financial Sanctions General Guidance page.

Further information

Further information on the sanctions regime related to Russia and other sanctions related guidance can be found on the Sanctions and Export Control website on the Sanctions Guidance page.

Contact details for enquiries

If you require any further information or guidance, please contact the Sanctions Team on:

Telephone: +44 1624 648109
Email: sanctions@gov.im

Please note: We are unable to provide legal advice. You may need to seek independent legal advice.

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