EU slaps sanctions on dozens more Russian officials and targets its shadow oil and gas fleet

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Monday imposed fresh sanctions on dozens of officials linked to Russia’s war on Ukraine, including two top North Korean defense officials, a military unit blamed for an attack on a Kyiv children’s hospital and the heads of companies in the energy sector.

Russia’s vast shadow fleet of ships that Moscow is exploiting to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gas, or carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, was also targeted. Fifty-two vessels were added to a growing list of ships banned from European ports and deprived of services.

“This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken Russia’s war machine and those who are enabling this war, also including Chinese companies,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “We will stand by the Ukrainian people on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military.”

In all, EU foreign ministers froze the assets of 54 people and 30 “entities,” which are usually companies, ministries, government agencies or other organizations. Travel bans were also imposed on officials.