Media reveal who's targeted by EU sanctions against Russia
Photo: Timur Yunusov (Timati), Russian rapper (Russian media)
The European Union is preparing to approve its 20th package of sanctions against Russia. Among those expected to be included is pro-Putin rapper Timati, according to the investigative project Sistema.
According to a draft document obtained by Sistema, the sanctions will target individuals from various sectors:
Military sector and defense industry
The EU’s sanctions list is expected to include:
-
Aleksei Rtishchev, head of the Russian Armed Forces’ radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, and his deputy Andrey Marchenko;
-
Timur Shagivaleev, director of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, where Shahed kamikaze drones are produced;
-
Vladimir Lepin, CEO of the Kalashnikov Concern, along with the top management of Rostec subsidiaries.
Propaganda, culture, and sports
The EU also plans to sanction individuals who promote Kremlin ideology:
-
Rapper Timati (Timur Yunusov), known for spreading Russian propaganda (he visited Paris with his family in January 2025);
-
Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the Hermitage Museum, a supporter of Russian aggression;
-
Sergey Obryvalin, deputy minister of culture of Russia, responsible for the removal of cultural valuables from occupied Ukrainian territories;
-
Arkady Dvorkovich, president of FIDE (International Chess Federation);
-
Mikhail Mamiashvili, president of the Russian Wrestling Federation;
-
Stanislav Pozdnyakov, president of the Russian Olympic Committee;
-
Russian boxer Fedor Chudinov.
Business and finance
Business figures expected to face sanctions include Andrey Molchanov, Ilya Shcherbovich, and Vladimir Avetisyan.
The financial and energy sectors will also take a significant hit:
-
Banks: 20 more Russian banks (including Russian Standard, Avangard, and Pochta Bank) are expected to be cut off from the SWIFT system.
-
Energy: Companies such as Bashneft, Slavneft, and several major oil refineries will be added to the list.
According to EU plans, foreign ministers of the bloc’s member states are expected to officially approve the new sanctions package by February 24, 2026 – the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia on February 6. The specific individuals and entities targeted have not yet been officially confirmed.
