EU extends sanctions on Russia over hybrid threats for another year

The European Union has extended sanctions against Russian officials and entities accused of destabilising activities abroad, prolonging the measures by one year until October 9, 2026.

The decision comes in response to Russia’s continued “hybrid activities,” including cyber-attacks, sabotage, and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) campaigns targeting EU institutions, member states, and international partners, the European Council said in a statement, Caliber.Az reports.

In total, the restrictive measures now apply to 47 individuals and 15 organisations. Those sanctioned face an EU asset freeze, a ban on providing financial or economic resources, and — in the case of natural persons — a travel ban barring entry into or transit through EU territory.

The sanctions framework was first adopted on October 8, 2024, to counter Russian actions deemed harmful to the security, stability, independence, and integrity of the EU and its member states. In May 2025, the scope was broadened to cover tangible assets linked to destabilising activities, financial backers of such actions, and Russian state media outlets accused of spreading disinformation.

In July 2025, the EU’s foreign policy chief issued a statement condemning Moscow’s “persistent hybrid campaigns” against Europe and its partners. The EU said Russia has engaged in a “deliberate and systematic pattern” of hostile behaviour, ranging from information manipulation and covert influence operations to cyber-attacks and physical acts of sabotage.

Brussels warned that such activities, which have intensified since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, are “highly likely to persist in the foreseeable future.”

The EU underscored that it would continue to use “the full range of tools available” to protect itself and its partners from Russia’s "hybrid threats."

By Sabina Mammadli