Brussels | July 19, 2025 — The European Union has expanded its sanctions regime by blacklisting several individuals, including citizens of Russia and Azerbaijan, as part of its 18th package of measures aimed at curbing Russia’s war-related activities.
Among those sanctioned is Karen Shakhnazarov, a prominent Russian film director and People’s Artist of Russia. He is joined by nine other Russian nationals, including high-ranking officials, business executives, and cultural figures. The new list was published in the Official Journal of the European Union and includes:
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Ilshat Shagiakhmetov, head of the Fund for the Development of Territories
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Olga Burova, First Deputy Minister of Culture of Russian-occupied Crimea
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Vladimir Kuryanov, acting rector of Crimean Federal University
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Viktor Fofanov, CEO of transport firm Volgatrans
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Alexander Ushko, senior manager at the tech firm “Open Systems Technology”
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Tatyana Litvinenko, shareholder in fertilizer giant PhosAgro
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Nikita Zakharov, linked by the EU to the drone company Aeroscan
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Felix Pleskachevsky, CEO of research and development firm Poisk
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Svetlana Nikolaeva, a private entrepreneur
The sanctions also target Ahmed Kerimov, an Azerbaijani national whom the EU accuses of involvement in Russia’s so-called “shadow tanker fleet”—a clandestine network allegedly used to bypass oil export restrictions. Similar accusations have been leveled against Abhinav Kamal of India, Hossein Shamkhani of Iran (director of Admiral Shipping), and Chinese businessman Lin Zhongheng, who is suspected of supplying restricted technology components to Russia.
All individuals named are now subject to asset freezes in EU jurisdictions and face travel bans across the European Union. The EU Council stated that these measures are intended to “tighten the net” around those enabling or profiting from Russia’s war against Ukraine, whether directly or through backdoor logistical support.
The latest round of sanctions underscores Brussels’ continued efforts to crack down not only on Russian state actors but also on a growing network of foreign intermediaries allegedly helping Moscow skirt existing restrictions.
