EU agrees largest-ever package of sanctions targeting almost 1600 individuals, entities in Russia’s military-industrial complex

European Union foreign ministers adopted on October 12 additional restrictive measures against 1569 individuals and entities in Russia’s military and industrial complex, a statement by the Council of the EU said.

The agreed listings include 826 Russian companies and 743 individuals serving as CEOs of these companies.

The step was taken in response to Russia’s continued and escalating aggression against Ukraine, and in particular its recent brutal military campaign deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and causing severe suffering to the civilian population, the statement said.

This is the single largest set of listings ever agreed by the EU and brings the total number of listings under the sanctions regime supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity to close to 4600.

The October 12 package specifically targets mid-level suppliers that represent the “core” of the Russian military industry, generating an annual turnover of at least 20 billion euro and employing more than 250 000 people.

The listed companies are suppliers of key components to some of Russia’s most advanced weapons systems including missiles, UAVs and aircrafts. Such key components include: electronics, including semiconductors, microcircuits and computers; communication equipment including radars, antennas and transceivers; aviation, satellite and missile systems; explosives and ammunition and optics and navigation systems.

The October 12 listings were adopted under the EU’s restrictive measures framework targeting actions undermining or threatening Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.

Those listed under this sanctions’ regime are subject to an asset freeze and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: “Today the EU adopted the largest round of sanctions listings since 2022”.

Close to 1600 listings target Russia’s military-industrial complex, Kallas said.

“Over half address the production chain for the ballistic missiles Russia uses to kill Ukrainian civilians every day,” she said.

Bombing Kyiv’s bridges, ships transporting grain, and the National Academy of Sciences are not the actions of a country seeking peace, Kallas said.

“This is not the time to ease pressure on Moscow but to increase it,” she said.