EU imposes sanctions on eight more Russians over human rights violations

23.02.2026 16:00

Ukrinform

On February 23, the Council of the European Union imposed restrictive measures on eight individuals responsible for serious human rights violations, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, as well as for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia.

This was reported by the EU Council press service, according to Ukrinform.

The Council said the newly added individuals include members of Russia’s judiciary – two judges, one prosecutor, and one investigator – who were involved in politically motivated trials and responsible for sentencing Russian activists Dmitry Skurikhin and Oleg Belousov on politically motivated charges.

In addition, the restrictive measures agreed on today also target the heads of penal colonies and a pre-detention center, where political prisoners Aleksei Gorinov, Pavel Kushnir, Mikhail Kriger and journalist Maria Ponomarenko were held in solitary confinement and in inhuman and degrading conditions. All of them opposed Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and criticized Putin regime.

The assets of those added to the sanctions list have been frozen, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them.

Those sanctioned are also banned from entering or transiting through EU territory.

“The EU remains unwavering in its condemnation of human rights violations and repressions in Russia, and is deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, especially in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” the Council said.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, the Council of the European Union (Foreign Affairs) introduced a new sanctions regime for serious human rights violations in Russia on Monday, May 27, 2024.