The EU has adopted the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting shadow fleet

The Council of the European Union adopted the 15th package of economic and individual restrictive measures against Russia, which included North Korean officials and Chinese suppliers of drone kits.

The new EU sanctions package includes 54 individuals and 30 organizations, “responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine“. The EU Council website has reported this.

The new European measures target Russia’s shadow fleet and aim to erode Russia’s capability to finance its war efforts and to circumvent existing Western sanctions.

“These measures are designed to address the circumvention of EU sanctions through targeting of Putin’s shadow fleet and weaken Russia’s military and industrial complex,” the EU statement says.

The EU imposed sanctions against the military unit responsible for the shelling of the Ohmadyt children’s hospital in Kyiv on July 8, top managers of leading energy companies, individuals responsible for Ukrainian child deportation from Russian-occupied territories by Russian-installed local authorities, propaganda campaigns, and sanctions evasion.

The package also includes two North Korean officials for assisting Russia in its war against Ukraine.

As for legal entities, the EU imposed sanctions against Russian defense firms and shipping companies involved in the transportation of Russian crude oil and oil products by sea in violation of the price cap.

“Russia continues its brutal attack against Ukraine and Ukrainian people. This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken Russia’s war machine and those who are enabling this war, also including Chinese companies”, Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy stated.

Targeting sanctions circumvention and shadow fleet

The EU Council has added more ships, linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, to the list of those subject to a port access ban and a ban on the provision of a broad range of services related to maritime transport.

This restriction aims to target tankers that circumvent the oil price cap mechanism, support Russia’s oil sector, transport military equipment for Russia, or transport stolen Ukrainian grain. To date, the EU has sanctioned 52 vessels from third countries for these activities, increasing the total number of sanctioned ships to 79.

Targeting exports of dual-use components to Russia

The EU Council added 32 new companies to the list of those directly supporting Russia’s war efforts and the Kremlin’s military-industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine. Tighter export restrictions will apply to them, specifically regarding dual-use components and technologies that the Russian defense sector can use for weapons production.

Some of the newly sanctioned firms are located in third countries (China, India, Iran, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates) and have been involved in circumventing previous sanctions or procuring sensitive technologies used for Russian military operations, such as attack drones and cruise missiles.

The list also includes a chemical plant and a civilian Russian airline, which “is an important provider of logistical support for the Russian military.” 

In addition, for the first time, the European Union has imposed full-fledged sanctions (travel ban, asset freeze, ban on providing economic resources) on Chinese entities that supply UAV components and microelectronic components to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.”

European Council reiterated its condemnation of Russia’s war

In its conclusions of 17 October 2024, the European Council reiterated its condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a blatant violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

The European Council “reconfirmed the EU’s unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed.”

The EU also says that it remains ready to further limit Russia’s ability to wage war, including by imposing more sanctions.