EU Sanctions Russian Propagandists, Shadow Fleet Firms, Navalny Persecutors

The European Union on Friday approved a new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting individuals and entities linked to Moscow’s war against Ukraine, its shadow fleet, disinformation campaigns and the persecution of opposition figures.

According to the European Council, the package adds 34 individuals and 47 entities to the EU sanctions list.

Propagandists, oil networks and drone suppliers targeted

The sanctions target seven individuals and 21 entities supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex, including drone manufacturers and suppliers operating in Russia and China.

Among those sanctioned are Russian military technology organizations, drone producers and companies accused of supplying equipment used in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The package also targets 24 companies and two individuals involved in transporting Russian oil through the so-called shadow fleet network, which Moscow uses to circumvent Western restrictions on energy exports.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the measures are designed to increase pressure on Russia’s war economy.

“These measures strike at the heart of Russia’s military-industrial complex, its shadow fleet, and the networks that fuel Moscow’s hybrid attacks against Europe,” Kallas said.

Recent incidents have intensified scrutiny of Russia-linked tankers, with Romania and Bulgaria moving to set up a joint security hub in the Black Sea to monitor suspected shadow fleet routes.

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EU Extends Russia Sanctions for First Full-Year Term

The move marks the first time the bloc has renewed its sectoral sanctions against Russia for a full year instead of the usual six-month period.

The EU says this will affect Lukoil’s Western Siberia operations and multiple companies registered in Russia, Liberia, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey and Azerbaijan, which keep the oil money flowing into the Kremlin’s budget.

Navalny case and Crimea restrictions

The EU also imposed sanctions on 15 individuals and one entity linked to the persecution, poisoning and death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was killed in February 2024 with the lethal toxin epibatidine.

Those targeted include judges, prosecutors, FSB officers, law enforcement personnel and medical officials accused of involvement in the case.

Several Russian propagandists were also added to the sanctions list for spreading disinformation and promoting narratives supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Separately, the EU extended sanctions related to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol until June 23, 2027.

The measures were announced a day after EU leaders agreed to extend the bloc’s broader economic sanctions against Russia for 12 months for the first time, replacing the previous six-month renewal cycle.