The Cessna plane was prevented from taking off from London Biggin Hill Airport on Saturday, while checks were carried out on its property. Recent sanctions imposed on Moscow by the UK government make it a criminal offense to fly or land Russian-owned, operated or chartered aircraft, including private jets, in the UK. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today I took swift action to identify and ground another aircraft pending investigations into possible Russian links.

“We continue to take decisive action against Putin and his illegal war in Ukraine.”

Western leaders have announced a set of tough sanctions against Moscow in retaliation for Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine.

These have targeted, among others, Russia’s financial, defense and industrial sectors, as well as individuals linked to Putin’s regime.

The measures have had a devastating effect on the Russian economy, with factory closures and job losses already reported.

At the same time, the value of the ruble fell by almost 30% and interest rates were raised by 10-20%.

UK sanctions have targeted UK assets of major Russian banks, including those of VTB – Russia’s second largest bank with assets totaling £154bn.

The government has also imposed asset freezes and travel bans on seven prominent oligarchs and 386 members of the Russian parliament (Duma).

One of the most high-profile oligarchs to be hit by British sanctions was Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Mr Abramovich is currently trying to find new owners for the London football club.

Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced legislation to deny Russia and Belarus access to most-favoured-nation tariffs for hundreds of their exports, depriving the two countries of major benefits from the joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This means that Russian vodka will see a 35% increase in import duties imposed on it.

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They have a maximum range of just 800 meters and have proven deadly effective, according to reports.

The UK government is expected to send hundreds more at an additional cost of £120m.

Ben Wallace, the British Defense Secretary, has also promised to supply an unspecified number of Starstreak high-velocity anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine.

Belfast-made weapons are known to be the fastest short-range surface-to-air missiles.

They accelerate after launch and include three laser-guided submunitions to increase the chances of hitting their targets.