EU adopts tenth package of sanctions on Russia

The new sanctions entered into force upon being published in the EU Journal on 25 February 2023. The relevant instruments, amending Council Regulation (EU) No. 833/2014 and Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 can be found at this link.

Earlier on 24 February 2023, the US and the UK also announced new sanctions on Russia, see our previous WR Sanctions Alert from that day at this link.

New measures include:

• 87 individuals and 34 entities have been added to the EU's sanctions list, including:
  
  • Actors in sectors providing a substantial source of revenue for or supporting financially the Russian government, including banks Alfa-Bank, Rosbank, Tinkoff Bank, the National Wealth Fund of the Russian Federation, and the Russian National Reinsurance Company.
  • Key political and institutional decision makers.
  • Military leaders, including two commanders of the Wagner group.
  • Individuals identified as responsible for the deportation and forced adoption of Ukrainian children, and certain proxy authorities connected to the illegally annexed Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
  • Individuals and entities engaging in disinformation and propaganda
  • Four Iranian individuals involved the supply of drones to Russia.
• Additional export bans on critical technology and industrial goods, such as electronics, specialised vehicles, machine parts, spare parts for trucks and jet engines, as well as goods for the construction sector which can be directed to Russia's military, such as antennas or cranes.
• Additions to the list of restricted items that could contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence and security sector, hereunder new electronic components that are being used in Russian weapons systems retrieved on the battlefield, including drones, missiles, helicopters, as well as specific rare earth materials, electronic integrated circuits, and thermal cameras.
• In an effort to combat risk of circumvention, the transit via the territory of Russia of dual-use goods and technology exported from the EU is prohibited.
• Additions to the list of entities that are subject to enhanced restrictions with respect to dual-use items, including for the first time seven Iranian entities manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles for Russia.
• Additions to the list of goods which generate significant revenues for Russia, including asphalt and synthetic rubber.
• Initiation of the process to suspend the broadcasting licenses of RT Arabic and Sputnik Arabic.
• Restrictions on Russian nationals or natural persons residing in Russia holding any position in the governing bodies of EU critical infrastructures and entities.
• The reporting obligations placed on legal persons, entities and bodies to supply information to national competent authorities relating to funds belonging to designated persons and entities are expanded.

****

WR Sanctions Alerts provide you with updates on material developments in the country-specific sanctions programmes implemented by the US, the UN, the UK, the EU and Norway. We will not provide updates on mere prolongations, without material changes, of existing sanctions programmes, nor on any listings or de-listings of individuals/entities placed on implemented sanctions lists. Please note that the WR Sanctions Alerts are provided as general information and do not constitute legal advice.