Zelensky signs decrees imposing sanctions on ballistic missile manufacturers and crypto platforms

Volodymyr Zelensky has officially approved a new package of sanctions measures against Russia. By his signature, decisions of the National Security and Defence Council aimed at restricting the activities of entities involved in the production of ballistic missiles, circumventing financial sanctions, and supporting the occupation regime in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine have been brought into force.

Restrictions for 70 key employees of the missile complex

The first block of sanctions covers 70 Russian citizens directly involved in the manufacture of "Iskander-M" and "Zircon" type ballistic missiles. According to the Presidential Office, these weapon systems are used for mass strikes on Ukrainian cities. In just the last week, according to representatives of the Presidential Office, Russia killed 153 people and injured 723, destroying residential buildings, medical facilities, schools, kindergartens, universities, and energy infrastructure. Approximately 1,450 aerial bombs, over 1,640 strike drones, and 75 missiles of various types were used in these attacks.

In addition to enterprises already under sanctions by many countries, specific engineers, technologists, and production managers have been added to the restrictions list. Among the designated institutions are the Votkinsk Plant, the V. V. Bakhirev Machine-Building Institute, the companies "Radar MMS", "Granit-Electron", "Anozit", "Aviatek", "Metafrax Chemicals", "Altai", "Nevinnomyssk Azot", "Azot", the "Salyut", "Strela", "VNIIR-Progress", "Mashinostroitel", "Avangard", named after Sverdlov, and named after Morozov plants, the Voskresensk Aggregate Plant, as well as the "Poleus" and "Submicron" research institutes.

«Підприємства, які виробляють "Іскандери" та "Циркони", вже давно під санкціями України і більшості партнерів. Але ракети збирають конкретні люди: інженери, технологи, керівники виробництва. Тепер ми вносимо до санкційного списку і їх, 70 ключових працівників ракетного ланцюга, від хімічних заводів, що постачають компоненти пального й вибухівки, до складальних цехів Воткінська. Кожен, хто робить ракети для ударів по українських містах, має розуміти: відповідальність персональна, і вона не мине» ("Enterprises that produce 'Iskanders' and 'Zircons' have long been under sanctions by Ukraine and most partners. But missiles are assembled by specific people: engineers, technologists, production managers. Now we are adding them to the sanctions list, 70 key employees of the missile chain, from chemical plants supplying fuel and explosive components to assembly shops in Votkinsk. Everyone who makes missiles for strikes on Ukrainian cities must understand: responsibility is personal, and it will not be overlooked"), emphasised the President's adviser and commissioner for sanctions policy, Vladyslav Vlasyuk.

Blow to financial schemes for circumventing sanctions

The second block of restrictions concerns individuals who facilitate the circumvention of financial sanctions. This list includes 28 natural and 27 legal persons. Among them are crypto exchange operators, cryptocurrency exchange services, as well as their managers and owners. Sanctions have also been imposed on the heads of companies that are part of the A7 shadow banking network and publicly offer tools for circumventing international restrictions. It is worth noting that the United States of America has previously already imposed sanctions on the A7 network.

Sanctions against collaborators in occupied territories

The third package of restrictions has been applied against 10 natural and 21 legal persons, as well as two sea vessels. These entities are recognised as accomplices to Russia, acting in its interests in temporarily occupied territories. According to the Presidential Office, they finance the war, plunder natural resources, and spread propaganda. The list includes collaborators working for the aggressor, as well as enterprises providing internet and television services, conducting geological exploration, and producing electronics and metal products in the occupied lands of Ukraine.