Press releases, 23.2.2024

EU to impose extensive sanctions on individuals and targeted sectoral sanctions on 2nd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine

The EU’s 13th package of sanctions is one of the largest agreed since the launch of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in terms of the number of sanctioned individuals. A total of 194 individuals and entities will be added to the list. They are individuals and companies that support Russian armed forces and individuals who have participated in the forced transfer of Ukrainian children. Export bans will be expanded to goods and technologies that contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement. Russian and third country companies that have been found to be involved in the circumvention of sanctions will be added to the list of export bans.

The EU imposed its first sanctions on Russia in 2014 after Russia’s occupation and illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then the EU has imposed 12 packages of unprecedented sanctions as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to its continuing attacks on civilian targets and critical infrastructure and as a response to the forced transfer of Ukrainian children by Russian authorities.

The 13th and latest package of sanctions, expected to enter into force on 23 February 2024, the eve of the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, will include extensive sanctions on individuals and sanctions targeting specific sectors. The EU will add 194 entries to the list of sanctioned individuals and entities, making the package one of the largest in terms of number of sanctions listings since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Persons and companies that support the Russian armed forces, information influencers of Russian society, opinion formers and business influencers who support the Russian government or benefit from it will be added to the list of sanctioned individuals. The list also includes officials from the Russian occupying regime and individuals who have participated in the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. With this new package the number of individuals and entities has reached over 2000.

The EU targets specific sectors by extending the export ban to goods and technology which contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement or the development of its defence and security sector. These include various electronic and power electronics components (including drone components).

In addition, the EU will expand the export ban list of companies that are military end-users, part of Russia’s military and industrial complex or have commercial or other links with Russia’s defence and security sector or otherwise support it. Both Russian companies and companies operating in third countries will be added to the list. These companies operating in third countries have been found to be involved in the circumvention of sanctions especially in terms of high priority items. During the preparation of sanctions, the EU has been in contact with the authorities of these countries, giving them the opportunity to intervene in the circumvention of sanctions.

Sanctions regime targeting individuals and entities

Sanctions regime targeting sectors

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