On December 18, the European Union officially approved its 12th package of sanctions against Russian Federation individuals and economic entities.

This time, 48 Russian individuals were placed on the blacklist, including Russian Aerospace Forces Commander-in-Chief Viktor Afzalov, Altai Region Head Oleg Khorokhordin, and Bashkortostan Region Head Radiy Khabirov. 

 
Among the Russian legal entities included in the EU sanctions list are 86 companies and organizations, including 44 industrial design bureaus, plants and enterprises, as well as the Tsargrad and Spas TV channels.  
 
The EU imposed its first package of sanctions in February 2022 in connection with Russia’s formal recognition of the independence of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) and Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).

The sanctions targets included State Duma (lower house of parliament) members and other individuals and legal entities, including banks and organizations involved in financing Russian operations in Donbass. After the special military operation in Ukraine began, the European Union adopted its second package of restrictions, which expanded sanctions to cover another 99 Russian individuals, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Brussels approved seven more sanctions packages by the end of 2022. Among legal entities, the restrictions mainly targeted Russian companies with state-ownership stakes above 50% (e.g. the Rostec corporation, Gazpromneft, Kamaz), as well as enterprises involved in military production. 

Sources: News Agency - Officials

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