Britain has launched a fresh wave of attacks on the "inner circle" at the Kremlin as the UK marks a year since the death of one of Vladimir Putin's most dangerous political opponents.

       Activist Alexei Navalny, 47, was a thorn in Putin's side speaking out as the leader of an opposition party, giving a rare voice of dissent in Russia against the narrative set by Moscow.

       Mr Navalny, who survived being poisoned by the novichok nerve agent, flew back to Russia from exile despite knowing he would be arrested and imprisoned.

       Kremlin authorities said the political leader was found dead at the Siberian penal colony where he was held, after "collapsing" in his cell on February 16 last year.

       Western governments, including Downing Street, have since poured scorn on the Russian version of events surrounding Mr Navalny's death, and accuse Putin of having his political rival murdered.

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       In a statement released from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office the Government said nearly a year on from the death of Mr Navalny, the UK was imposing new sanctions against "people with links to Putin’s inner circle in a crackdown on the Kremlin".

       Today’s (Friday) sanctions target high-profile figures working in the Russian Government, including Pavel Fradkov, a Russian Defence Minister and Vladimir Selin, who heads up an arm of the Russian Ministry of Defence. They also target Artem Chaika, whose extractives company supports Russian state-owned business.

       The measures come as the Foreign Secretary attends the Munich Security Conference where he will meet Mr Navalnaya's widow, Yulia Navalnaya

       Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "I am announcing further sanctions to keep up the pressure on Putin. Ukrainians are fighting for their country’s future and the principle of sovereignty across Europe at the frontline.”

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       "Nearly a year on from the death of Alexei Navalny, I am honoured to meet with Yulia Navalnaya and make clear our commitment to weaken Putin’s attempts to stifle political opposition and crack down on the Kremlin’s corrupt dealings globally.

       "We are calling on our friends and allies to continue to step up in the face of ongoing Russian aggression."

       Last week, Mr Lammy visited the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, pushing on with implementation of the 100 Year Partnership with the embattled nation.

       It's reported Mr Lammy will make the case to others in Munich that it is in the collective interests of Ukraine’s partners to stand by them.

       According to the Foreign Office, all the Russians targeted by the sanctions will assets frozen and sanctions against their trust services, they are also be subject to a UK travel ban.