Oligarch’s lawyers say UK caused serious hardship by freezing assets

Eugene Shvidler wants expedited court hearing to hear his claim that impounding his jets was wrong

A Russian billionaire who is a close associate of the former owner of Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich, has launched a legal challenge against UK government sanctions imposed on him in response to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

The case is the first to be launched in the British courts by a Russian hit with sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine, and could serve as a test case for other oligarchs seeking to overturn restrictions such as travel bans or asset freezes.