The European Union on Monday imposed for the first time sanctions on individuals and organizations thought to be responsible for Russia’s attempts to interfere abroad.
“These measures are in response to Russia’s malicious actions and its lack of respect for a rules-based international order and international law,” an EU press release said.
Those slapped with sanctions “undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity, as well as those of international organizations and third [non-EU] countries through hybrid activities of various kinds.”
The targets include a unit of the Russian military intelligence agency “known for its involvement in foreign assassinations and destabilization activities such as bombings and cyberattacks across Europe.”
The new measures target several individuals “who played a key role in a Russian intelligence operation against the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) in which highly classified information was passed to the FSB,” the statement said.
Russia’s meddling in Africa is also pursued by the new sanctions as they add two disinformation networks active in different African regions and Artem Kureev, the successor of late Yevgeny Prigozhin as head of the Wagner mercenary group in Africa.
The punitive measures include asset freezes in the EU and travel bans.
A view of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Sierakowski Frederic/European Council/dpa
