On Friday, the British government announced sanctions against Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency and 18 of its operatives, accusing them of creating “chaos and disorder” in the United Kingdom and across Europe.

In a statement, Foreign Secretary David Lammy remarked, “GRU operatives are conducting efforts to destabilize Europe, undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty, and threaten the safety of British citizens. Putin’s hybrid threats and acts of aggression will never weaken our determination.”

According to the Foreign Office, the measures affected three units of the GRU and 18 intelligence officers due to their alleged “long-standing campaign of harmful cyber activities, particularly affecting the U.K.”

“The GRU typically employs cyber and information tactics to instigate chaos, division, and instability in Ukraine and globally, leading to severe real-world repercussions,” the statement added.

Those sanctioned include individuals reportedly connected to a thwarted malware attack on Yulia Skripal, daughter of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal, five years before both were poisoned with a nerve agent in Salisbury in 2018.

British officials noted that the GRU had also targeted local entities, such as media organizations, telecommunications companies, and energy infrastructure.

One of the sanctioned military intelligence units was reported to have participated in online reconnaissance that facilitated missile strikes on Mariupol, including the bombing of a theater where civilians were taking refuge, as indicated by the Foreign Office.