EU freezes assets of three individuals and nine companies circumventing sanctions against Russia

The European Council has adopted additional restrictive measures against three individuals and nine entities involved in the import of sanctioned goods to Russia, as well as in the circumvention of EU sanctions regarding oil and financial transactions.

Source: European Pravda, citing the press service for the European Council

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

Quote from Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: "Circumventing EU sanctions is akin to aiding and abetting Russia's illegal war of aggression. Today we are taking further action against individuals and companies who are doing this. Sanctions have already denied Moscow over one trillion euro, but they can be even more effective when we fully enforce them".

Details: The list includes Movers Group LLC, a Russia-based cargo delivery company involved in the parallel import to Russia of goods subject to EU restrictive measures, and its general director, Dmitry Chudovsky.

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

Furthermore, the EU is imposing sanctions on United Stream LLC 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, also facilitating the import of EU goods subject to restrictive measures.

In addition, the European Council imposed sanctions on entities based in the United Arab Emirates, India and the Seychelles. This list includes 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 individuals and entities included in the list are subject to an asset freeze, and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the listed individuals.

Background:

• On Thursday 15 October, following court decisions, the EU lifted sanctions on businessmen Mikhail Gutseriev and Viktor Shevtsov, who are described as a friend and the "wallet" of Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko.
• On 12 October, the EU approved the largest expansion of personal sanctions against Russia, with nearly 1,600 individuals and legal entities included in the new list.

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