EU Backs Record Sanctions List of 1,646 Russian Targets

In brief: EU ambassadors approved proposed sanctions against 743 individuals and 826 entities linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex, as well as 77 people purportedly elected to the State Duma from occupied Ukrainian territories. The listings still require final adoption by EU foreign ministers.

EU ambassadors on Wednesday, Oct. 7, approved proposed sanctions against approximately 1,650 individuals and entities, primarily targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex and those involved in elections held in occupied Ukrainian territories.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak said the ambassadors had given the “green light” to sanctions against 743 individuals and 826 entities connected to Russia’s defense industry.

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The ambassadors also approved listings against 77 people purportedly elected to Russia’s State Duma from Ukrainian territories occupied by Moscow.

The measures are not yet legally final. They are expected to be submitted to EU foreign ministers for formal adoption on Monday, Oct. 12, Reuters reported .

The package would represent the EU’s largest single set of sanctions designations since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

According to Reuters, approximately 1,570 of the proposed listings cover individuals and organizations involved in Russia’s military-industrial complex. More than half are associated with missile production.

The sanctions are intended to restrict Russia’s ability to manufacture weapons and obtain the equipment, financing, and technology needed to continue its war.

People added to the EU sanctions list generally face asset freezes and travel bans throughout the bloc. EU citizens and companies are also prohibited from making funds or economic resources available to listed individuals and organizations.

The EU already has sanctions in place against nearly 3,000 individuals and entities associated with Russia’s invasion, occupation of Ukrainian territory, and efforts to circumvent international restrictions.

The proposed list also includes 77 people who were purportedly elected to the Russian State Duma from occupied regions of Ukraine.

Russia held State Duma voting on Sept. 18-20, including in Ukrainian territories under Moscow’s control. Ukraine and the EU do not recognize the vote conducted in those regions as legitimate.

The European External Action Service had proposed sanctions against the 77 candidates before the election results were finalized.

Their inclusion would target individuals involved in extending Russia’s political system into occupied Ukrainian territory and attempting to legitimize Moscow’s control over the regions.

EU ambassadors also agreed to extend a separate sanctions framework targeting the use and proliferation of chemical weapons.

That regime currently applies to 31 individuals and six entities. It includes Russian officials, scientists, and institutions accused of involvement in prohibited chemical weapons programs.

In July, the EU added six Russian individuals allegedly connected to the poisoning and death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The bloc said the listings included researchers and officials associated with Russia’s chemical weapons infrastructure.

The restrictions include asset freezes, bans on providing funds to listed parties, and travel prohibitions for sanctioned individuals.

The latest move follows the EU’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia , adopted in July after weeks of internal disagreements. That package targeted Russian banks, oil revenues, military suppliers, and companies helping Moscow evade existing restrictions.

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