The EU has increased pressure on the Russian economy, targeting shipping, oil traders and their foreign accomplices. This is stated on the website Council of the EU.
The EU Council today adopted its largest package of measures targeting Putin's shadow fleet, doubling the number of vessels on the list of those subject to a port access ban and a broad range of services ban.
189 vessels from third countries were banned, bringing the total number of vessels affected to 342. These vessels are part of Russia's "shadow fleet" and are responsible for transporting Russian oil, practicing high-risk shipping methods, or supporting Russia's energy sector.
Restrictive measures against the shadow fleet are aimed at depriving it of operational capabilities, thereby reducing revenues from oil sales that support Russia's military economy.
In addition, the EU is imposing individual sanctions (asset freezes and a ban on providing funds) aimed at the shadow fleet ecosystem, namely at the entities that ensure the operation of the shadow fleet.
The measures cover shipping companies responsible for transporting crude oil and petroleum products by sea and those engaged in unsafe practices at sea while transporting Russian oil, including companies from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Hong Kong. A major insurer for the Russian oil transportation industry is also listed.
Since the EU imposed oil price caps and sanctions on the shadow fleet, Russia's revenues have fallen by €38 billion. Russia's revenues in March 2025 were 13,7% lower than in March 2023 and 20,3% lower than in March 2022.
Energia
To further restrict Russia’s sources of revenue, the EU is also imposing restrictive measures against Surgutneftegaz, a major Russian oil company that provides substantial revenues to the Russian government, directly fueling its military efforts. An important Russian oil transportation company is also included in the list.
Military-industrial sector
The EU has imposed sanctions on more than 45 Russian companies and individuals that supply the Russian army with drones, weapons, ammunition, military equipment, critical components, and logistical support.
Making full use of the strengthened legal framework adopted in the 16th package, the EU is also extending the targets to industrial enterprises, such as Russian and Chinese enterprises supplying machine tools to the Russian military and industrial sectors.
The EU also continues to address the issue of third-country support by adding three Chinese enterprises, including state-owned ones, Belarusian and Israeli, which supply critical components for the Russian military, including for the production of drones.
The Council also added 31 new organizations to the list of those subject to stricter export restrictions on dual-use goods and technologies due to their support for Russia's military-industrial complex in its aggressive war against Ukraine.
Some of these organizations are located in third countries (Serbia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Vietnam and Uzbekistan) and have been involved in circumventing export restrictions, in particular on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or numerically controlled machine tools.
The EU also imposed additional restrictions on the export of goods that contribute to Russia's military and technological advancement, the development of its defense and security sector, and the development or production of its military systems, including chemical precursors for energy materials and spare parts for machine tools.
Occupied territories
Today's set of lists is also directed against the looting of cultural heritage in Crimea and the illegal exploitation of Ukrainian agricultural production.
The relevant legal acts will soon be published in the Official Journal of the EU.
With today's addition of 75 new lists (17 individuals and 58 entities), EU restrictive measures for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to over 2400 individuals and entities.
Those on the lists will have their assets frozen, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with funds. Individuals are prohibited from entering or transiting through the territory of EU member states.
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