The European Union has imposed its largest sanctions package targeting Russian enterprises that produce ballistic missiles, communications equipment, electronics, radio navigation equipment, and specialized equipment, as well as those involved in machinery manufacturing and shipbuilding, along with their executives.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked President of the European Council António Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and all EU member states for approving this EU sanctions package against Russia’s military-industrial complex.
“It is increasingly evident that Russia is unwilling to accept an energy ceasefire proposed by the United States and intends to continue its terrorist air attacks against our people and communities. Today alone, the Russians have attacked 6 energy facilities in Ukraine. 33 people were wounded across the country. This is what happens when Russia sees the prospect of higher revenues for its war machine,” the Head of State wrote on social media.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that greater pressure on Russian entities, particularly those involved in the production of ballistic missiles and “shaheds,” is the right and necessary signal if there is a serious commitment to ending Russia’s war.
The EU sanctions list includes 826 legal entities. Most of them were proposed by Ukraine to its European partners. In particular, these include Salyut Joint-Stock Company, which is involved in the production of Kh-59 missiles and RM-48U ballistic missiles; the Elekon Plant, an important enterprise in the production chain for Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Kh-101 missiles, and control systems for Su-35 and Su-57 fighter jets; the Zlatoust Machine-Building Plant, which supplies missile casings for high-explosive warheads, produces strategic missiles for the Russian Navy, and is involved in the space industry; and Svetlana-Semiconductors and VZPP-Mikron, two of Russia’s most important manufacturers of military-grade microelectronics, including for missiles, air defense, and electronic warfare.
Sanctions have also been imposed on 743 individuals. Among them are executives of enterprises serving Russia’s military-industrial complex: Igor Vilnit, Director General of the Rubin Design Bureau, one of Russia’s key developers of nuclear submarines, including strategic missile submarines; Mikhail Budnichenko, Director General of Sevmash, Russia’s main shipyard for building nuclear submarines; Dmitry Avtaikin, head of Russian Space Systems, which provides navigation for missiles and drones, as well as space communications for the Russian occupiers; and Igor Yanakevich, Director General of Aquarius, a major Russian manufacturer of computer equipment and IT solutions that develops computer infrastructure for the occupiers, intelligence agencies, and defense plants.
Also today, the European Union imposed sanctions on 77 individuals who participated in the illegal “elections” to the Russian State Duma in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories, as well as members of Russia’s Central Election Commission.
In particular, sanctions have been imposed on Serhiy Arbuzov, former acting Prime Minister of Ukraine and former head of the National Bank of Ukraine, who ran for the Russian State Duma this year; Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, whose political activities are aimed at legitimizing the occupation of Ukrainian territories; and Russian propagandist Irina Kuksenkova.
Ukraine emphasizes that consistently strengthening sanctions against Russia’s military-industrial complex is an important part of limiting Russia’s ability to continue its aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, it is important to further restrict access to critical components and technologies and strengthen oversight of compliance with sanctions.