EU Targets Stark Industries in Cyberattack Sanctions Crackdown

The European Union has escalated its response to Russia’s ongoing campaign of hybrid threats, announcing new restrictive measures against 21 individuals and 6 entities.

This latest move, part of the EU’s 17th sanctions package, reflects a significant broadening of both the scope and technical complexity of sanctions as the bloc seeks to counter destabilising activities targeting the EU, its member states, and international partners.

Sectoral and Asset-Based Sanctions

According to the report, the Council’s latest measures go beyond traditional asset freezes and travel bans, now enabling the EU to target a wider range of tangible and digital assets.

The new framework allows for the freezing of vessels, aircraft, real estate, and physical elements of digital and communication networks linked to destabilising Russian activities.

Transactions involving credit institutions, financial entities, and crypto-asset service providers that facilitate these activities are also prohibited.

A key technical term in these measures is “freezing of funds and economic resources,” which, under Council Regulation (EU) 2024/2642, blocks the movement or use of both financial assets and other economic resources—such as property or digital infrastructure—that could be leveraged by sanctioned individuals or entities.

The scope now explicitly covers the “shadow fleet,” a network of covert oil tankers and operators accused of circumventing oil price caps and sanctions, as well as export restrictions on dual-use goods—items with both civilian and military applications.

Countering Disinformation and Cyber Operations

In response to Russia’s systematic campaign of media manipulation, the Council has introduced new authorities to suspend the broadcasting licences of Russian media outlets under Kremlin control and to prohibit their content from being broadcast within the EU.

These measures specifically target foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), a technical term encompassing coordinated disinformation, cyberattacks, and influence operations designed to undermine democratic processes and public trust.

Among those listed are Viktor Medvedchuk and his associates, who allegedly used Ukrainian media outlets and the “Voice of Europe” channel to disseminate pro-Russian propaganda and erode the legitimacy of Ukraine’s government.

The sanctions also target individuals and entities involved in cyber operations, such as the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Main Radio Frequency Center” (GRFC), accused of electronic warfare activities, including “jamming” and “spoofing” GPS signals in the Baltic states—actions that disrupt civil aviation and critical infrastructure.

Legal and Operational Impact

All individuals and entities designated under these measures face an asset freeze, with EU citizens and companies forbidden from making funds or economic resources available to them.

Natural persons are also subject to travel bans, preventing entry or transit through EU territories.

The measures are grounded in the Hybrid Threats Regulation (Council Regulation (EU) 2024/2642), which authorises sanctions against those responsible for, supporting, or benefiting from actions by the Russian government that undermine EU security, democracy, or the rule of law.

The EU’s evolving sanctions architecture now integrates traditional trade controls with digital finance-focused enforcement, reflecting a holistic approach to countering hybrid threats.

This includes targeting crypto-asset service providers and closing loopholes in both conventional and decentralized financial systems.

The latest listings bring the total number of sanctioned individuals and entities to over 2,400, underscoring the bloc’s commitment to upholding international law and deterring further destabilisation efforts.

The full list of sanctioned individuals and entities, along with the legal basis for the measures, has been published in the Official Journal of the EU.

The Council has reaffirmed its determination to use all available tools to protect the EU and its partners from hybrid threats, signalling that further measures may follow as Russia’s tactics evolve.