Britain has hit Russia with a third wave of trade sanctions including metal imports in the latest action against president Vladimir Putin's regime.

The UK slapped a new package of sanctions on Russia - along with Moscow's ally Belarus aimed at £1.7billion worth of trade.

New measures against imports from Russia - adding an additional 35 percentage point tariff - will cover £1.4billion worth of goods, including platinum and palladium.

In addition, export bans on key materials such as chemicals, plastics, rubber and machinery will hit more than £250million worth of goods.

It is hoped these will harm sectors of the Russian economy most dependent on UK goods.

International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: 'We are determined to do our utmost to thwart Putin’s aims in Ukraine and undermine his illegal invasion, which has seen barbaric acts perpetrated against the Ukrainian people.

'This far-reaching package of sanctions will inflict further damage on the Russian war machine.

'It is part of a wider coordinated effort by the many countries around the world who are horrified by Russia’s conduct and determined to bring to bear our economic might to persuade Putin to change course.'

The value of products subjected to full or partial import and export sanctions since Mr Putin's waging of war against Ukraine is now more than £4billion.

The proportion of goods imports from Russia that have now been hit by restrictions is now more than 96 per cent.

More than 60 per cent of goods exports to Russia are also under whole or partial restrictions.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: 'Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is causing suffering on an enormous scale. His barbaric war must be stopped.

'Over £4 billion worth of goods will now be subject to import and export sanctions, doing significant damage to Putin’s war effort.

'Working closely with our allies we can and will thwart Putin’s ambitions.'