16th package of sanctions on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

As part of the comprehensive sixteenth package of sanctions, on 24/2/2025, the Council decided to impose targeted restrictive measures on an additional 48 individuals and 35 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

The decision maintains pressure on the Russian military and defence by listing several industry companies manufacturing weapons, ammunitions and other military equipment and technologies.

As part of the EU efforts to close shadow fleet networks, the EU also imposed full-fledge sanctions over three entities transporting Russian crude oil and oil products and providing substantial revenues to the Russian Government.

Additionally, this package continues targeting actors responsible for circumventing EU sanctions, including through third countries. For the first time, the Council also decided to sanction, a crypto-currency exchange based in Russia, Garantex, which is closely associated with EU-sanctioned Russian banks.

Sanctions will also be imposed on third countries actors directly supporting the Russian war effort. The listings include one Chinese firm specialised in the production of satellite imagery, notably to the benefit of the Russia’s military-industrial complex, together with its chairman, as well as two senior officials in the Korean People’s Army.

Responding to Russian propaganda remains also a priority. Alongside notorious Russian propagandists, the EU is notably listing NewsFront, and SouthFront, two outlets presenting distorted interpretations of history and manipulated information in line with Kremlin messaging while also targeting European and global audiences with distorted and manipulated information.

Concerning listed individuals, the EU is targeting businessmen active in the Russian mining and energy sectors, politicians and proxies from the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine, people involved in the mass abduction, illegal re-education, deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia and public figures, including a former Ukrainian politician now working for Russia.

Altogether, EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to over 2400 individuals and entities. Those designated today are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering into or transiting through the territories of EU member states.

The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals and entities, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.