EU adds 1,569 Russian firms and executives to sanctions list in largest-ever expansion, targeting suppliers of missiles, drones and aircraft

The European Union on Monday adopted its largest-ever single expansion of Russia-related sanctions listings, adding 1,569 companies and executives linked to the country’s military-industrial complex. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the measures are intended to make Russian weapons production “significantly harder, slower and more expensive.”

The new listings cover 826 Russian companies and 743 executives. More than half target the supply chain for ballistic missiles, and the listed companies provide components for Russian missiles, drones and aircraft. The EU said the businesses generate at least €20 billion in annual turnover and employ more than 250,000 people. The additions bring the total number of listings under the EU sanctions regime supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity to nearly 4,600.

Speaking after an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Kallas also called enlargement the bloc’s “most successful foreign policy tool for decades,” saying it strengthens European security and geopolitical influence. She described Ukraine as “Europe’s first line of defense against Russian aggression” and said the EU would keep increasing pressure on Moscow until it shows a genuine willingness to negotiate an end to the war.

The newly listed individuals are subject to EU travel bans, while listed entities and people face asset freezes and a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to them.