Alert: The European Union’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia

2026-06-22 Alert EUROPEAN UNION International Sanctions

On June 15 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted the twenty-first package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. The following set of measures expands the number of individuals and entities subject to EU sanctions, with a specific focus on the military, energy and maritime transport sectors.

This intensifies the economic pressure imposed on the Russian Federation, whilst strengthening the mechanisms designed to prevent the circumvention of these sanctions by tightening restrictions in the energy sector.

Table of Contents

Key changes:

Key changes:

Lists of sanctioned individuals and legal entities

A total of twenty-six individuals and forty-six additional entities have been added; from the date this package comes into force, they will be subject to asset-freeze measures and to the prohibition on making funds and economic resources available.

Extension of the measures

The Council of the European Union has agreed to extend until 23 June 2026 the measures imposed pursuant to Decision 2014/384/CFSP on measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, with the aim of maintaining the sanctions regime over time.

New temporary exemptions from the sanctions imposed

The European Union has introduced a temporary exemption to the sanctions imposed on Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology Co. This company operates in the energy sector, covering the production and supply of heat, and specialises, in particular, in the manufacture of chips for semiconductor devices.

In order to ensure and promote the diversification of supply chains for operators within the Union, the Council has agreed to establish new temporary exemptions from the asset freeze and the prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to that entity.

The purpose of this measure is to enable the winding down of transactions, contracts and other agreements entered into by the designated entity; such transactions must be concluded by 31 December 2026 at the latest.

At the same time, these temporary exemptions are intended to ensure that the industry can procure and pay for those essential components, provided that the release or provision of assets is completed by 16 March 2026.

Energy and Shadow Fleet

The twenty-first package of sanctions consolidates the legal basis prohibiting the provision of maritime oil transport services where such practices are irregular in nature or entail a high risk, in accordance with Resolution A.1192(33). This measure is aimed at combating the use of so-called ‘shadow fleets’ – through this network, Russia uses vessels from third countries to transport prohibited goods, trade in crude oil illegally or smuggle military equipment. – The purpose of these sanctions is to neutralise Russia’s strategy to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the European Union on oil companies.

Within this framework, the package extends sanctions specifically to those shipping operators involved in sanctions evasion through irregular maritime transport practices linked to the clandestine fleet.

Military – industrial complex

The new sanctions package adds 9 individuals and 45 entities to the sanctions list for providing direct or indirect support to Russia’s military-industrial complex. These designations specifically target entities involved in the development, production or supply of military technology and equipment, or which drive research and development into weapons systems. Although the majority are Russian companies, the list also includes individuals of Israeli or Azerbaijani nationality.

Sanctions are also extended to entities that develop or assist in any way with the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as to entities operating in economic sectors that provide substantial revenue to the Government of the Russian Federation.

The package thus further restricts the Russian military-industrial complex, designating nine individuals and forty-five companies as being involved in the development and manufacture of military equipment.

Additional designations relating to fundamental rights and broadcasting

With regard to internal repression and conflict propaganda, the Council has decided that one entity and 15 individuals should be added to the list as those responsible for providing technical and material support for the repression of the democratic opposition, including those involved in violating the right to freedom of expression and association, or who have been involved in activities that seriously undermine the democratic rule of law.

In the media sphere, 10 individuals and one additional entity have been added to the list for their active participation in, or support for, Russian propaganda messages in favour of the conflict. Those designated include media commentators, social media influencers, television personalities, politicians and journalists.