The EU has approved its 16th sanctions package against Russia, targeting banks, the "shadow fleet," and the aluminum sector.

The EU Council has announced this.

A total of 48 individuals and 35 organizations have been added to the sanctions list for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.

Additionally, the Council has established two new criteria that allow the EU to impose restrictions on those who own or manage vessels in the "shadow fleet" and on those who support or benefit from the Russian military-industrial complex.

Key decisions include:

1. Another 74 vessels from the "shadow fleet" will be subject to sanctions.
2. The EU will prohibit operations with credit or financial institutions based outside of Russia that utilize the Central Bank of Russia's "Financial Messaging System" (SPFS).
3. 13 regional banks are barred from providing specialized financial messaging services.
4. The EU will suspend broadcasting licenses for 8 Russian media outlets.

5. 53 additional entities have been listed as supporters of the Russian defense industry.

   They will face stricter export restrictions on goods and technologies applicable in the defense and security sector. A third of these organizations are Russian, while others are located in third countries, including China, India, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Turkey, the UAE, and Uzbekistan.

6. The EU has imposed restrictions on the export of goods that enhance Russia's industrial capacity (chemicals, certain plastics, and rubber) and their transit through Russia. Sanctions also affect the import of primary aluminum, which generates significant revenue for Moscow.
7. The EU prohibits any transactions with specific ports, locks, and airports in Russia that are used for transferring UAVs, missiles, and related technologies and components into Russia or for circumventing sanctions.
8. The EU has expanded the flight ban for certain air carriers operating domestic flights within Russia or exporting aircraft or other aviation goods and technologies to Russians.

9. Additional restrictions will apply to the export of goods and technologies, particularly software related to oil and gas exploration.

   There will also be a ban on the temporary storage of Russian crude oil and petroleum products within the EU, regardless of purchase price and final destination.

Furthermore, the package includes new restrictive measures against Belarus and the occupied Ukrainian territories to hinder integration into Russia.