The European Union has adopted its 17th sanctions package against Russia, further intensifying its response to the ongoing aggression in Ukraine. This new package aims to weaken the Russian war economy, disrupt the military-industrial complex, and counter state-driven human rights violations and destabilization campaigns abroad.

A key component of the new measures is the targeting of Russia’s oil revenue infrastructure. This includes the designation of the state-run energy giant Surgutneftegaz and the sanctioning of 342 oil tankers associated with Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” These tankers are believed to be involved in circumventing sanctions and facilitating illicit oil exports, with links to operators based in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Hong Kong. In addition, the EU has imposed sanctions on nearly 200 individuals and entities involved in supporting Russia’s military activities in Ukraine, including suppliers of weapons, drones, and machine tools from countries such as China, Belarus, Serbia, and Israel.

Beyond economic sanctions, the EU introduced additional restrictive measures under three distinct legal frameworks. Under the human rights sanctions regime, the EU blacklisted 28 Russian judges, prosecutors, and investigators involved in politically motivated prosecutions and arbitrary trials, particularly those connected to the persecution of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. These individuals are subject to asset freezes and travel bans throughout the EU.

Under the EU’s chemical weapons sanctions framework, three Russian military entities were sanctioned following confirmed reports of the illegal use of riot control agents, such as CS gas, by Russian forces in Ukraine. These sanctions were imposed in response to violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and target military institutions such as the Radiological Chemical and Biological Defence Troops and associated scientific research centers.

Furthermore, the EU has escalated its efforts to counter hybrid threats posed by Russia. Sanctions were imposed on 21 individuals and six entities responsible for cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, espionage activities, and GPS signal interference. Among those designated are GRU intelligence agents, media outlets such as Voice of Europe, and Russian-aligned propaganda actors operating within the EU and Africa.

The 17th sanctions package also introduces new enforcement powers, enabling the EU to seize physical and digital assets linked to Russia’s destabilizing campaigns. This includes the confiscation of vessels, aircraft, and digital infrastructure. Entities implicated in undersea sabotage or cyber operations—such as fishing companies and web hosting providers—have also been blacklisted.

View the relevant Decision here