In a ninth package, the European Union has expanded its sanctions against Russia to cover complex and sensitive sectors militarily, economically, technologically and media

The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that the ninth package of European sanctions against Moscow will bring negative consequences as its predecessors on the European Union and exacerbate social and economic problems in Europe.

In the details of this sanctions package, the EU has included almost 200 individuals and entities on the sanctions and asset freeze lists, including the Russian armed forces in its various formations, as well as individual officers, defense industry companies, members of the State Duma (deputies) and the Federation (senators), ministers, judges and various officials.

Moreover, the most severe export restrictions were extended to an additional 168 Russian entities closely linked to the Russian military-industrial complex, in an attempt to cut off their access to sensitive dual-use materials and advanced technology, bringing the total number of sanctioned entities to 410.

Besides, the new export ban will extend to additional industrial goods and technology, such as drones for Games/Hobbies, complex generator sets, laptops and computing components, printed circuits, radio navigation systems, wireless remote controls, aircraft engines, engine parts, cameras and lenses, and it is no longer possible to provide a wider range of business services to Russia with a ban on market research, public opinion polling services, Testing Services, Technical Analysis and advertising services.

The package also imposed sanctions on an additional 3 Russian banks, including a complete ban on transactions at the Russian Regional Development Bank.

In addition to the already existing ban on investment in the energy sector in Russia, new EU investments in the Russian mining sector will also be banned, with the exception of some raw materials.

The package also prohibits EU citizens from holding managerial positions in Russian state-owned or controlled companies.