As EU-sanctions on Russia intensify, the number of wealthy Russians applying for visas in the UK has increased dramatically.

Over 160 Russian nationals applied for visas in the first nine months of 2014, compared to 96 the previous year.

Applicants are required to make an investment of £2m in British assets to receive a visa.

Tough economic sanctions were imposed on President Putin in response to Russian involvement in the on-going crisis in Eastern Ukraine. Travel and asset freezes have targeted a number of Putin’s inner-circle specifically.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron warned that Europe must stand up to Putin or face ‘’deeply damaging’’ consequences. Mr Cameron also announced that UK military forces would be sent to Ukraine to train troops fighting the rebels.

‘’We will be developing an infantry training programme with Ukraine to improve the durability of their forces – this will involve a number of British service personnel, they will be away from the area of conflict but I think this is the sort of thing we should be helping with.”