EU Imposes Fresh Sanctions on Russia Over Propaganda, Drones & Human Rights Abuses

On June 15, the EU Council announced a new package of sanctions against Russia. According to the official statement, the restrictions are directed against:

  • Energy revenues

  • The military-industrial complex

  • Propaganda

  • Human rights violations

A total of 34 individuals and 47 legal entities have been added to the EU sanctions list.


Key Individuals Sanctioned by the EU

Tikhon (Georgiy Shevkunov) – Russian Orthodox Bishop

The EU has sanctioned Tikhon (Georgiy Shevkunov) , a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church. According to the EU Council, he systematically spreads pro-Kremlin disinformation, including false claims of “Nazism” in Ukraine. He also denies Ukraine’s sovereignty and justifies Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as necessary, defensive, and divinely sanctioned.

Aleksander Vladimirovich Gutsan – Prosecutor General of Russia

Gutsan, the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, has been added to the EU sanctions list.

Roman Yurievich Plugin – Interior Ministry Official

Plugin is the Head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. The EU Council states he is responsible for limiting freedom of speech by ordering arrests and detentions of peaceful mourners of Alexei Navalny on the anniversary of his death, as well as arresting peaceful street musicians in Saint Petersburg singing songs perceived as supporting the opposition.

Pavel Alekseevich Astakhov – Lawyer & Former Children’s Rights Commissioner

Lawyer and former Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Pavel Astakhov is also under EU sanctions.

Oleg Yevtushenko – Rostec Executive Director

Oleg Yevtushenko, Executive Director of Rostec State Corporation, has been sanctioned. Rostec is Russia’s most important defense corporation, comprising the main companies of Russia’s military and industrial complex.

Maria Dudko & Roman Antonovsky – Propaganda Figures

Maria Vladimirovna Dudko, founder of the Limitless agency for work with foreign bloggers, and Roman Yurievich Antonovsky – a writer, publicist, and propagandist affiliated with pro-Kremlin media outlet Tsargrad TV and author of the Telegram channel “Sons of the Monarchy” – are both sanctioned.


Entities Sanctioned: Drone Manufacturers & Defense Industry

The EU sanctions also target key organizations in Russia’s military and drone production sectors:

  • Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives (PFCI)

  • NPO LAVOCHKINA JSC – defense industry contractor

  • Association “League for Assistance to Defense Enterprises” – promotes development, modernization, and growth of the Russian military industry, advocates for defense interests with government bodies, and strengthens training and recruitment for defense companies

  • ASFPV LLC – a Saint Petersburg-based drone manufacturer

  • Military Innovation Technopolis ERA – military technology hub

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