EU imposes new sanctions on companies helping Russia circumvent restrictions

The European Council adopted additional restrictive measures against three individuals and nine entities involved in the import of sanctioned goods into Russia, as well as in circumventing EU sanctions on oil and financial transactions, according to Європейська правда.

The sanctions lists were approved within the framework of the EU restrictive measures aimed at actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

"Circumventing EU sanctions is tantamount to aiding and abetting Russia's illegal war of aggression. Today we are taking further measures against individuals and companies that do this. Sanctions have already deprived Moscow of more than one trillion euros, but they can be even more effective if we fully enforce them", said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

The list includes LLC Movers Group – a freight forwarding company based in Russia and involved in parallel imports into Russia of goods subject to EU restrictive measures, as well as its general director Dmitry Chudovsky.

The European Council also added LLC DT Inier and its majority shareholder Ivanna Savchuk to the list. LLC "DT Inier" is a licensed Russian customs broker and full-cycle logistics operator involved in decentralized sanctions circumvention schemes, as are other entities added today: Begler Tekstil Insaat Elektronik VE DIS Ticaret LTD and Medse Group LLC. Both of these companies are trading enterprises based in Turkey but operating a global network.

In addition, the EU imposes sanctions on LLC United Stream and its founder and director Svetlana Gumenyuk. United Stream is a financial services company registered in the Russian Federation that acts as a payment agent and intermediary, and also facilitates the import of goods from the EU that are subject to restrictive measures.

Furthermore, the European Council sanctioned entities based in the United Arab Emirates, India, and the Seychelles. These include DIS Logistics DMCC, Vigor Marine Services LLP and Shiva Shipping LTD., which are part of the "shadow fleet" ecosystem, as well as Hurus Trade FZE – a trading intermediary supplying Russian-origin oil to India.

The listed persons and entities are subject to asset freezes, and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to or for their benefit is prohibited. In addition, listed individuals are subject to an EU travel ban.