Key facts
- The EU is preparing its largest-ever sanctions package, with nearly 1,600 listings.
- The package targets companies and executives involved in Russia's defense-industrial complex.
- Targeted entities include shipyards, aviation, electronics, and aerospace companies.
- The EU document cites federal subsidies provided by the Russian government to these entities.
- The listings are scheduled for adoption by EU ambassadors on October 7.
- EU foreign ministers are set to formally vote on the sanctions on October 12.
The European Union is preparing to implement its most extensive sanctions package to date, targeting Russia's capacity to wage war. According to a document obtained by the Kyiv Independent, the proposal includes nearly 1,600 listings aimed at crippling Russia's defense-industrial complex.
The European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic arm, has put forward the proposal to add 827 entities and 744 individuals to the bloc's sanctions list. This marks the largest single package of listings ever compiled by the EU.
While previous sanctions have covered various sectors and high-profile figures, this new package specifically targets companies and executives directly involved in Russia's military production. The affected industries span shipyards, aviation, electronics manufacturing, armored vehicle repair, and aerospace.
The Kyiv Independent has withheld the names of the listed entities to prevent Russia from circumventing the sanctions. The EU document indicates that these entities are being targeted because the Russian government has recently designated them as part of its military-industrial complex, making them eligible for federal subsidies.
The proposed sanctions are slated for adoption by EU ambassadors on October 7, followed by a formal vote by the bloc's foreign ministers on October 12. Following this large-scale action, the EU plans to shift towards a more agile approach, adopting smaller lists of sanctions on a rolling basis.
This move follows the EU's 21st sanctions package, adopted in July, which targeted drone manufacturers, oil refineries, and cryptocurrency platforms.