EU Adopts 20th Sanctions Package Against Russia, Closing Loophole for Kremlin Propaganda Mirror Sites

The EU has approved its largest sanctions package in two years, hitting Russia’s energy revenues, military suppliers, crypto networks and, for the first time, online mirror sites used to spread Kremlin propaganda after official outlets were banned.

The Council of the EU adopted the 20th package of restrictive measures against Russia on April 23, imposing sanctions on 120 individuals and entities — the biggest wave of listings since the early months of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The measures tighten pressure across every major sector funding Russia’s war machine, from oil exports and shadow tankers to drone manufacturers and state-backed cryptocurrencies.

“Today we have finally broken the deadlock. On top of the €90 billion loan for Ukraine, we have also adopted the 20th sanctions package. Russia’s war economy is under growing strain, while Ukraine is getting a major boost. We must keep up this pressure until Putin understands his war leads nowhere,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.

Shutting Down Kremlin Mirror Outlets

In a move of particular significance for the information war, the EU has extended its broadcasting ban to cover mirror sites — online clones of sanctioned propaganda outlets such as Russia Today and Sputnik that were created specifically to keep distributing their content inside the EU after the originals were blocked. The content of these mirror sites and domains is now banned from distribution across the bloc, and the new rules are designed to allow faster takedown or blocking of proxy sites as soon as they appear. Staff of the targeted outlets retain the right to conduct research and interviews within the EU; only broadcasting is prohibited.

Squeezing Russia’s Oil Revenues

The package lays the groundwork for a future maritime services ban on Russian crude oil and petroleum products, to be coordinated with the G7 and the Price Cap Coalition. Thirty-six new designations target both the upstream and downstream segments of Russia’s energy sector, including exploration, extraction, refining and transportation — with a focus on companies that have recently grown their export market share as older players faced restrictions.

An additional 46 vessels have been added to the port access ban, bringing the total to 632 designated ships. The package also introduces mandatory due diligence checks for tanker sales, bans maintenance services for Russian LNG tankers and icebreakers, and prohibits transactions with the Russian ports of Murmansk and Tuapse, as well as an oil terminal in Indonesia used to dodge the price cap. From January 2027, providing LNG terminal services to Russian entities will be illegal.

Financial Services and Crypto

Twenty Russian banks are hit with a transaction ban, along with four financial institutions in third countries that have been helping Russia circumvent EU sanctions or are connected to Russia’s domestic banking messaging network.

With Russia increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies to bypass financial restrictions, the EU is now banning all crypto exchange platforms and providers based in Russia. A Kyrgyz entity trading in the Russian government-backed stablecoin A7A5 has been designated, transactions in another cryptocurrency, RUBx, are banned, and all EU support for the development of Russia’s digital rouble is prohibited.

Military Industrial Complex

Fifty-eight companies and individuals involved in producing military equipment, including drones, have been designated. Sixteen entities based in China, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Belarus that have supplied dual-use goods or weapons to Russia’s military are also listed. A further 60 entities, some located in China, Türkiye and the UAE, now face tighter export restrictions on technology that feeds Russia’s defence sector.

Trade and Anti-Circumvention

For the first time, the EU has activated its anti-circumvention tool, banning the export of computer numerical control machines and radios to Kyrgyzstan following a documented surge in re-exports of these items to Russia. The export ban has been expanded to cover laboratory glassware, high-performance lubricants, energetic materials, chemicals, rubber products, steel articles and industrial tractors — worth over €360 million. Import restrictions have been extended to raw materials, metals, minerals, steel scrap, chemicals and tanned fur skins, worth over €570 million.

Accountability

Five individuals and one entity are listed for enabling the abduction, forced transfer and indoctrination of Ukrainian children — Russia is estimated to have deported nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children since the start of the war. Four more individuals are designated for involvement in the seizure of Ukrainian cultural property, and four propagandists, including those with state-sponsored platforms, have been listed.

Belarus

The package also addresses Belarus, adding three listings related to its military-industrial complex and the Lukashenko regime. Notably, a Chinese state-owned entity has been targeted under the Belarus sanctions regime for the first time, over its role in producing Belarusian military goods. The Belarus sanctions regime has been extended until February 28, 2027.

More to Come

The EU has made clear this is not the end. Further sanctions remain on the table, and Brussels has stated it will keep tightening pressure on Russia until the dictator agrees to a ceasefire and genuine peace negotiations – on terms that respect Ukraine’s independence and borders.