The European Union has announced a significant expansion of its sanctions against Russia, targeting nearly 1,600 individuals and entities associated with the country’s military-industrial complex. This move aims to curtail Russia’s ability to produce weapons and sustain its military efforts in Ukraine.

The latest sanctions package includes 826 Russian companies and 743 executives, many of whom are linked to the supply of components for missiles, drones, and military aircraft. The measures specifically target supply chains involved in the production of explosives, ammunition, semiconductors, and computer equipment.

Additionally, the EU has sanctioned 74 Russian State Duma lawmakers and three members of Russia’s Central Election Commission due to their involvement in parliamentary elections held in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.

In a separate action, three individuals and four entities in North Korea have been sanctioned over their roles in the country’s nuclear and missile programs and its increasing military and economic collaboration with Moscow.

Those affected by the sanctions face asset freezes, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with funds or economic resources. Sanctioned individuals are also subject to travel bans across the 27 EU member states.

These latest measures bring the total number of individuals and entities sanctioned by the EU in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine to nearly 4,600, reflecting the bloc’s ongoing efforts to weaken Moscow’s military and financial capabilities.