Shadow fleet, banks, and media: EU approves new sanctions package against Russia on the third anniversary of the war

The EU Council approves the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. In particular, they affected 74 tankers of the Russian shadow fleet that transport Russian oil bypassing previous sanctions, and also prohibit the activities of 8 Russian media outlets in Europe. In addition, 13 Russian banks have been disconnected from the SWIFT payment system.

This was reported by the European Council itself. They noted that the EU is also imposing a ban on transactions for credit or financial institutions established outside Russia that use the Financial Messaging System (FMS) of the Central Bank of Russia.

"The Council agreed on a list of 83 items, including 48 individuals and 35 organizations responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," the statement said.

For his part, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal noted that the new sanctions package is a demonstration of Europe's effective solidarity with Ukraine. "We appreciate such strong support. Together we will make the enemy pay dearly for their crimes and bring a just peace closer," he emphasized.

The Council also added 53 new organizations to the list of those directly supporting the Russian military-industrial complex. They will be subject to stricter export restrictions on:

• dual-use goods and technologies;
• products that can contribute to the technological development of Russia's defense and security sector.

"One-third of these organizations are in Russia, and the rest are located in third countries (including China and Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Turkey, the UAE, and Uzbekistan) and have been involved in circumventing trade restrictions or purchasing goods, for example, for drones and missiles used in Russian military operations," the EU Council said.

Additionally, the list of goods prohibited for supply to the Russian Federation that contribute to the technological development of its defense and security sector was expanded. In particular, the following were added to the list:

• components for the development and production of Russian military systems;
• software for computer numerical control (NCM) machines;
• chromium connections and controllers for guiding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The EU also prohibits "any agreements with certain Russian ports, gateways and airports" used to transport UAVs, missiles, and related technologies and components to Russia. Or to circumvent the oil price ceiling and other restrictive measures.

"In addition, the EU is strengthening the ban on the transportation of goods by road within the Union – including transit – for companies in which the share of ownership of Russian individuals or legal entities is 25% or more. The Regulation also prohibits any changes in the capital structure of road transport companies that may increase the share of ownership by Russian individuals or legal entities by more than 25%," the Council noted.

The ban on flights to the EU for air carriers operating domestic flights in Russia has also been extended. Or export aircraft and aviation technologies to Russian air carriers and their affiliates.

In addition, additional restrictions are imposed on the export of goods and technologies related to oil and gas exploration and production "to further limit Russia's capabilities in this area." It is also prohibited to provide temporary storage for Russian oil and oil products within the EU, "regardless of their purchase price and final destination".

The package also provides for sanctions against Belarus that match those imposed on Russia. In addition, new restrictions are being introduced in Crimea, Sevastopol, and the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The goal is to prevent their integration into Russia and make it impossible to circumvent EU sanctions.

"The restrictions relate to the provision of services in the areas of accounting, auditing, accounting services, tax consulting, business and management consulting, public relations, construction, architecture, engineering services, legal advice, IT consulting, market research and opinion polls, technical testing and analysis, and advertising services. The sanctions regime for the uncontrolled territories of Ukraine has been extended until February 2026," the Council said.

The document is expected to be published in the EU's Official Journal on February 24. After that, it will come into force.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Australia has imposed the largest package of sanctions against Russia since the beginning of the war against Ukraine. The list of restrictions includes 70 individuals and 79 organizations associated with Russia. New Zealand also imposed new sanctions on 27 individuals and 25 legal entities.

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