New Sanctions Packages Signed by Ukraine’s President
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has enacted two new sanctions packages through decrees No. 426 and No. 427, following approval by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC). The first set of measures targets 127 senior Russian military officers, while the second applies to 29 civilian vessels involved in supporting Russia’s military logistics.
First Sanctions Package: Targeting Military Leaders
The first package lists 127 officers and commanders from the Russian armed forces, including leaders of long-range aviation units within Russia’s Aerospace Forces. These individuals are linked to the launch of over 4,100 cruise missiles, such as the Kh-101, Kh-55, Kh-555, Kh-22, Kh-32, and Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles. Additionally, sanctions have been imposed on commanders of rocket and artillery units from Russia’s ground forces, who are responsible for more than 1,100 attacks using Iskander-K and Iskander-M missiles.
The penalties include full asset freezes within Ukraine, revocation of licenses, and bans on trade and transit. Specific attacks cited as grounds for these sanctions include:
- A strike on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv on July 8, 2024;
- An attack on a high-rise building in Ternopil on November 19, 2025, killing 38 people, including eight children;
- Strikes on a café-store in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv region, on October 5, 2023, resulting in 59 deaths;
- Attacks on central Sumy, which killed 35 people, among them two teenagers;
- A strike on Chernihiv’s city center on April 17, 2024, leaving 18 dead and 78 wounded.
Second Sanctions Package: Targeting Civilian Vessels
The second package targets 29 civilian commercial ships used to transport heavy weaponry, ammunition, armored vehicles, and personnel for Russia’s Ministry of Defense. Some of these vessels are already under sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
“Sanctions are a tool for systematically limiting Russia’s ability to wage war. One of today’s packages highlights the supply channels for weapons to the Russian army—we’ll see which ports will now accept these ships. The other package is personal, targeting those who give orders and carry out missile terror against Ukrainian cities. This is about raising the cost of aggression for Russia, complicating its military operations, and ensuring inevitable accountability for strikes on civilians and infrastructure.”
Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy
These sanctions are part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to intensify pressure on Russia over its aggression and military actions. The measures aim to restrict Russian military access to resources and weaken its ability to launch further attacks. They also underscore growing international support for Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor, which could have significant implications for the conflict’s trajectory. It is worth noting that sanctions policy is a long-term process requiring ongoing monitoring and adaptation to emerging challenges.
The recent sanctions are part of a broader strategy by Ukraine to cripple Russia's military capabilities. In a related development, the President has indicated a potential expansion of long-range sanctions, highlighting significant financial losses for Russia that amount to $7 billion. This underscores Ukraine's commitment to holding accountable those responsible for the ongoing conflict.