The European Union’s interim sanctions package against the Russian Federation, adopted on June 15, demonstrates a systematic approach to weakening Russia’s war machine. The imposed restrictions target not only direct arms manufacturers but also companies that ensure their operations.
This was stated in a comment to journalists by the Ukrainian President’s Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, as reported by Suspilne.
According to him, Kyiv views the latest sanctions as a step towards “systematically limiting the resources Russia uses to continue its aggression.”
“This is an interim sanctions package. We expect a much more comprehensive 21st package to be adopted in the coming weeks,” the official said.
He noted that the sanctions list previously included manufacturers of FPV drones and unmanned systems, specifically ASFPV, Rustakt, IONOS, and the Izhevsk Aviation Plant, which produces SKAT 350M reconnaissance UAVs for the Russian army.
“ASFPV produces up to 10,000 ‘Veterok’ series FPV drones monthly, which are used by Russian troops on the front lines, and IONOS manufactures ‘Alesha’ FPV drones for reconnaissance, strike, and kamikaze missions,” Vlasiuk explained.
Enterprises involved in the production of components for missile, space, and aviation equipment were also subjected to restrictions. These include JSC “Elecond,” which manufactures capacitors for the S8000 “Banderol” cruise missile-drone, and the “Metallist” plant, which is involved in the production of the navigation system for the “Iskander-M” missile.
The President’s Commissioner stated that the EU’s sanctions list also includes foreign companies that supplied Russian drone manufacturers and defense enterprises with components, equipment, and technologies. Among them are Chinese companies Shenzhen Minghuaxin and Xinxiang Richful Lubricant Additive Company, Belarusian Izovac, and its affiliated Engineering Group.
According to Vlasiuk, special attention is being paid to combating Russia’s shadow fleet. “Dozens” of companies from Russia, the UAE, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, and Liberia, which facilitated the export of Russian oil in circumvention of sanctions, have been added to the restriction lists. These include Dilmas, Gazpromneft Shipping, Kord Company, Moonstone Maritime Corporation, Alacritas Shipping FZE, and a number of other vessel operators and managers.
“They were involved in transporting Russian oil using high-risk practices – disabling vessel identification systems, conducting ship-to-ship transfers, and using inadequate insurance coverage,” the official noted.
Furthermore, representatives of the Russian military-industrial complex have been sanctioned, including top managers of Rostec, Oleg Evtushenko and Bekhan Ozdoev, as well as organizers of “gray schemes” for supplying machine tools and components for UAVs, Oleg Fishelev and Pavel Nikitin.
“For us, this confirms that European partners clearly identify the specific individuals responsible for the production of weapons that attack Ukrainian cities daily, and are systematically restricting their capabilities,” he said.
Vlasiuk also highlighted the importance of the EU’s decision to impose sanctions on Tahir Garaev, the founder of Coral Energy (formerly 2Rivers Group), and Konstantin Rogach, a marine insurance broker, who are linked to the activities of Russia’s shadow fleet.
“Including these individuals in the sanctions lists significantly increases the toxicity and financial risks for any international counterparties attempting to help the Kremlin profit from the Shadow Fleet,” the President’s Commissioner concluded.
On June 15, the EU approved another package of anti-Russian sanctions. This includes a series of restrictions against the Russian military-industrial complex, the shadow fleet, and networks supporting Moscow’s hybrid attacks against Europe.
Earlier, the European Commission presented the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia, but it has not yet been approved by the member states of the European bloc.
Source: suspilne.media