BRUSSELS - The European Union on Oct. 12 imposed sanctions on 1,569 people and companies tied to Russia’s military-industrial complex, its largest single expansion of Russia-related listings since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The measures cover 826 Russian companies and 743 executives of those businesses, according to the Council of the European Union. They bring the total number of listings under the EU sanctions regime supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity to nearly 4,600.
Missile, Drone and Aircraft Suppliers Targeted
The EU said more than half of the new listings are connected to the production chain for ballistic missiles. The companies supply components used in missiles, drones and military aircraft, including semiconductors, computers, radars, antennas, satellite and missile systems, explosives, ammunition, optics and navigation equipment.
The targeted suppliers generate combined annual revenue of at least €20 billion and employ more than 250,000 people, the Council said.
The sanctions freeze assets held in the EU and prohibit European citizens and companies from providing funds or other economic resources to those listed. The designated individuals are also barred from entering or transiting EU territory.
Separate Measures Over Elections in Occupied Ukraine
In a separate decision on Oct. 12, the Council sanctioned 77 people who it said participated as candidates or election officials in Russian State Duma voting held in September in Ukrainian territories under Russian control.
The EU considers the voting illegal and regards Crimea and Sevastopol, along with occupied parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, as Ukrainian territory. Moscow claims the regions as part of Russia, a position rejected by Kyiv and most countries.
The latest action expands lists of named people and companies rather than introducing a new package of broad trade restrictions.
Source: Vesti Baku; Council of the European Union.