The European Union on Monday imposed the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, the EU Council reported on its website.

The package contains restrictions against 54 individuals and 30 entities, including North Korean officials and Chinese suppliers of drone kits.

The new sanctions are intended to address the problem of circumventing previous EU restrictions and are aimed at the shadow fleet of Russian tankers, as well as at weakening the Russian military-industrial complex.

In particular, the EU imposed sanctions against the military unit responsible for the shelling of the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv on 8 July, top managers of leading energy companies, individuals responsible for deporting children, propaganda and workarounds, and two DPRK officials.

For the first time, various Chinese entities that supply drone components and microelectronic components to support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine are subject to ‘full’ EU sanctions (travel ban, asset freeze, ban on providing economic resources).

The list of sanctioned entities also includes:

  • a chemical plant
  • Russian defence and shipping companies responsible for transporting crude oil and oil products by sea
  • a Russian civilian airline, which is an important supplier of logistical support to the Russian military

In particular, new vessels have been added to the list of those subject to a ban on access to ports and a ban on the provision of a wide range of services related to maritime transport.

It is noted that this measure is aimed at tankers from non-EU countries that are part of Putin’s shadow fleet, circumventing the oil price cap mechanism or supporting Russia’s energy sector, or vessels responsible for transporting military equipment for Russia or involved in the transportation of stolen Ukrainian grain.

As a result, 52 vessels originating from third countries were sanctioned on 16 December on these grounds. This brings the total number of vessels under sanctions to 79.

The EU Council also added 32 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex.

Some of these organisations are based in third countries – China, India, Iran, Serbia and the UAE – and have been involved in sanctions circumvention or the procurement of drones and missiles for Russia.

‘Russia continues its brutal attack against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken the Russian military machine and those who support this war, including Chinese companies,’ said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

On 8 July, Russian troops launched massive missile attacks on Kyiv, Dnipro and a number of other Ukrainian cities. Explosions were also heard in Kryvyi Rih and Kropyvnytskyi. The aggressor country Russia used Kinzhal, Kalibr and Tu-95 missiles.

Among the objects hit by Russian missile strikes was one of the premises of the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital. The building where children were on dialysis was damaged.

Source: The Gaze