Zelenskyy unveils sanctions targeting Russian missiles, drones and crypto
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Ukraine has imposed new sanctions on companies involved in the production of Russian missiles and drones, as well as on entities linked to Russia’s financial sector, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the President’s Office.
Read also: Russia strikes Ukraine's energy grid at night with 40 missiles and hundreds of drones
Sanctions after a massive attack
According to Zelenskyy, the decision was made following another large-scale Russian attack in which the occupiers used more than 400 drones and nearly 40 missiles of various types.
Ukraine is intensifying sanctions pressure on suppliers of critical foreign components, without which the production of these weapons would be impossible.
Restrictions on Russia’s military-industrial complex
The first decree aims to limit the capabilities of Russia’s military-industrial complex. The sanctions list includes 24 individuals and 27 legal entities, including companies supplying goods used to manufacture missile and drone components that Russia uses in attacks on Ukraine.
Sanctions on the financial infrastructure and the crypto market
The second decree targets financial infrastructure that enables Russia to circumvent international sanctions. Sanctions were imposed on 42 individuals and 35 legal entities, including payment operators, cryptocurrency owners, crypto exchanges, and entities supporting Russia’s crypto market and mining industry.
In particular, the list includes the A7 cryptocurrency network ecosystem, through which payments are made for components used in the production of Russian missiles and drones, as well as an association of developers and users of technologies related to the accumulation of virtual assets.
Some sanctions to be included in EU package
Some of the approved measures will be included in the European Union’s 20th sanctions package, which is in the final stage of preparation and could be approved by the end of the month.
According to Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the president’s commissioner for sanctions policy, Ukraine is systematically identifying and sanctioning everyone who produces weapons for Russia or finances the supply of components, directly limiting the potential of Russia’s military-industrial complex.
Sanctions against Russia
At the end of January, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said work on a new sanctions package was ongoing and the document had not yet been finalized.
She noted that EU countries are discussing various restriction options, including a full ban on maritime services, energy sanctions, and measures targeting the export of mineral fertilizers.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed preparations for a new sanctions package, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot clarified that it would include especially tough measures against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also stressed that the sanctions aim to cut Russia’s energy export revenues, neutralize the “shadow fleet,” and block schemes used to circumvent existing restrictions.
At the same time, it was reported that the United States continues to increase sanctions pressure on Russia. In particular, US President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan law that significantly expands the ability to impose new restrictions.
