Two large UK properties owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov will escape government sanctions because they were placed in “irrevocable trusts” many years ago, his spokesman has said.

Mr Usmanov, who used to be a major shareholder in Arsenal FC, was sanctioned earlier this month.

His assets were frozen, he is banned from travelling to the UK, and no British citizen or business can deal with him under the terms of the restrictions.

He and Russia’s former deputy prime minister, Igor Shuvalov, became the 12th and 13th oligarchs to be sanctioned by the UK over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said at the time that “individuals closely associated with the Putin regime and his barbarous war” were being targeted.

Mr Usmanov’s net worth is put at about £13.8bn. He was thought to own a £10m mansion in Surrey and a £48m house in Highgate, north London.

But neither of those assets can be frozen because they are not his, a spokesman for the oligarch said.

“All of Mr Usmanov’s properties were settled into the irrevocable trusts long before the sanctions came,” he commented.

“It had nothing to do with sanctions and was determined by estate planning.”

Downing Street still believes the sanctions will be effective, however, because it is coordinating its efforts with other countries.

“We remain confident these sanctions will have a significant impact on Usmanov. I think of that there’s no doubt,” the prime minister’s official spokesman said.

“And, crucially, when it comes to sanctions, we are wherever possible moving as one with our Western allies, so those that may be seeking to move assets will find they’re not welcome in the vast majority of the Western world.”

Mr Usmanov is thought to own a villa in Sardinia and the world’s biggest superyacht by gross tonnage, called Dilbar, which has been seized in Germany.

Dilbar has the largest swimming pool ever installed on a yacht, two helicopter pads, a beauty salon, and room for 24 passengers in 12 suites.

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