Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 15th package of restrictive measures

The Foreign Affairs Council today adopted a 15^th package of economic and individual restrictive measures with the objective of further limiting Russia’s ability to wage its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.

These measures are designed to address the circumvention of EU sanctions by targeting Putin’s shadow fleet, and to weaken Russia’s military and industrial complex.

The Council agreed on a package of 84 new listings, which consists of 54 persons and 30 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

The EU is sanctioning the military unit responsible for striking the Okhmadyt children’s hospital in Kyiv, senior managers in leading companies in the energy sector, individuals responsible for children’s deportation, propaganda and circumvention, and two senior DPRK officials.

As to entities, the EU targeted primarily Russian defence companies and shipping companies responsible for the transportation of crude oil and oil products by the sea, providing important revenues to the Russian government. It also listed a chemical plant, and a civil Russian airline which is an important provider of logistical support to the Russian military. 

For the first time, the EU is imposing fully-fledged sanctions (travel ban, asset freeze, prohibition to make economic resources available) on various Chinese actors supplying drone components and microelectronic components in support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Council added 52 vessels originating from third countries to the list of 17 those subject to a port access ban and ban on provision of a broad range of services related to maritime transport. This measure targets non-EU tankers that are part of Putin’s so called “shadow fleet” circumventing the oil price cap mechanism or that support Russia’s energy sector, or vessels responsible for transporting military equipment for Russia or involved in the transport of stolen Ukrainian grain.

The Council also added 32 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine. They will be subject to tighter export restrictions concerning dual use goods and technologies, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence and security sector. Some of these entities are located in third countries (China, India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates) and have been involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions or have engaged in the procurement of sensitive items used for Russian military operations, like UAVs and missiles.

The relevant legal acts will soon be published in the Official Journal of the EU.

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Press release