The EU counterattacks Russia's hybrid war and phantom fleet with new sanctions
The Council adopts a dual package of restrictive measures targeting cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and facilitators of Russia's illicit oil trade.
Brussels, December 15, 2025 – The Council of the European Union has significantly expanded its sanctions regime against Russia today, adopting two distinct sets of measures. The EU has sanctioned twelve individuals and two entities responsible for hybrid threats – including cyberattacks and information manipulation – while simultaneously targeting nine "facilitators" of Russia's phantom fleet to reduce the Kremlin's war revenues.
In short The new listings target the "Doppelgänger" propaganda campaign and officers of the military intelligence service GRU, responsible for the APT28 cyberattacks against EU member states.
The Council has sanctioned new entities and individuals facilitating the transport of Russian oil above the price cap set by the G7, tightening the noose on Moscow's financial sources.
The package also includes judges and officials from occupied Crimea (Sevastopol), responsible for enforcing Russian law and political indoctrination on Ukrainian territory.
Measures regarding hybrid threats focus on the perpetrators of the "Doppelgänger" campaign, a sophisticated operation that creates fake versions of legitimate media websites to spread pro-Russian disinformation. Among those listed are key figures from the Social Design Agency and Structure, as well as the entities Euroest and Glavset. Additionally, the sanctions hit members of Unit 26165 of the GRU (APT28), responsible for cyber operations against Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, and international organizations such as NATO and the OSCE.
At the same time, the EU continues the fight against the phantom fleet. By listing nine facilitators, the Council aims to dismantle the logistical network that allows Russia to export oil at prices exceeding the international cap. These facilitators provide the ships, management, and insurance that enable the Kremlin to circumvent sanctions and finance its war of aggression against Ukraine. All those listed are subject to asset freezes and travel bans in the EU.
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