On 12 October 2026, the EU published new designations against Russia. With 1,569 individuals, organisations and entities (POEs) newly listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014, this is the package containing the largest number of new listings since the start of the war in Ukraine. Back in September of this year, the duration of this sanctions regime was extended by three years (rather than by six months, as previously).
At the same time, further individuals were listed in connection with the elections to the Russian State Duma, which the Russian Federation held in September 2026 in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as further individuals due to military-industrial cooperation between North Korea and Russia. In addition, the chemical weapons sanctions regime has been extended until 2031.
The following article outlines the key changes for you.
Legal basis
The measures are based on the following legal acts:
Overview of the amendments
New listings in Annex I to Regulation 269/2014 Regulation 2026/2292 added a further 1,569 POEs to Annex I to Regulation 269/2014. According to the EU’s own figures, 743 of these listings relate to natural persons and 826 to legal persons. The legal persons are Russian companies; the natural persons are generally members of the management of the listed companies.
The listings relate to the Russian military-industrial complex. They include, amongst others, suppliers of key components for missiles, drones and aircraft, for electronics, radar and communications technology, as well as for explosives, ammunition and optics. In addition, there are numerous shipyards and ship repair facilities, such as PAO Amurskij sudostroitelnyj zavod, PAO Vyborgskij sudostroitelnyj zavod, PAO Sudostroitelnyj zavod Severnaja Verf and PAO Almaz.
Also listed are companies outside the defence and shipbuilding industries in the strict sense, including the tyre manufacturer AO Kordiant (Cordiant brand), the lorry and bus manufacturer PAO GAZ, and the IT manufacturer OOO Proizvodstvennaja kompanija Akvarius (Aquarius).
In the case of Kamaz and Severstal, individual group companies have been listed, namely AO Torgovo-finansovaja kompanija Kamaz, OOO Severstal podemnye tehnologii and AO Severstal Kanaty, but not the groups themselves or the parent companies PAO KAMAZ and PAO Severstal. In the case of GAZ, however, PAO GAZ itself is listed.
Furthermore, by DVO 2026/2281, in connection with the elections to the Russian State Duma held by the Russian Federation in September 2026 in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, a further 77 individuals were added to Annex I of Regulation 269/2014.
Pursuant to Article 2(1) of Regulation 269/2014, all funds and economic resources owned, held or controlled by the designated entities listed in Annex I are frozen.
Furthermore, under Article 2(2) of Regulation 269/2014, it is prohibited to make funds or economic resources available to, or for the benefit of, these POE, whether directly or indirectly.
Back in September of this year, the duration of this sanctions regime was extended by three years until 22 September 2026 (and not, as previously, by six months).
New listings in Regulation 2017/1509
In connection with Russian-North Korean cooperation in the military-industrial complex, Executive Order 2026/2278 added two natural persons to Annex XV and five legal entities to Annex XVI of Regulation 2017/1509. Of these, two POEs are North Korean and five are Russian.
Extension of the chemical weapons sanctions regime
Decision (CFSP) 2026/2286 extended the chemical weapons sanctions regime until 30 October 2031. The individual listings under this sanctions regime have been extended by one year until 30 October 2027. A total of 37 POE are affected.
Against the backdrop of the announced further EU sanctions measures, in particular a further package of sanctions against Russia involving goods-related measures, a further expansion of the existing sanctions regimes is to be expected. Additional goods-related restrictions, listings and compliance obligations will continue to increase the need for affected companies to adapt to regulatory changes in the future.
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