Switzerland expands sanctions list to include eight Russian media outlets

Swiss authorities have added eight Russian media outlets to their sanctions list, according to a document released by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Among those targeted are the online news portal Lenta.ru, the television channel Zvezda, the newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda, and the news agency NewsFront, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

To recall, Switzerland has closely aligned its sanctions with the European Union in response to Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine. As of April 2025, over 2,200 Russian individuals and entities have been sanctioned, including military personnel, propagandists, and members of the judiciary and Federal Security Service (FSB). These measures mirror the EU's 14th sanctions package and aim to curtail Russia's military capabilities and financial resources.

Switzerland has also implemented trade restrictions targeting sensitive goods and technologies. These include bans on the export of dual-use items, chemicals, lithium batteries, and machinery parts that could enhance Russia's military and technological sectors.

Additionally, the country has introduced a phased ban on the purchase and import of Russian diamonds, aligning with international efforts to reduce revenue streams for Russia.

In the financial sector, Switzerland has frozen approximately 7.4 billion Swiss francs in Russian assets, including properties, luxury cars, and artworks. This increase from 5.8 billion francs a year earlier is attributed to intensified investigations into suspected sanctions breaches and money laundering.

While Switzerland has adopted most EU sanctions, it has faced criticism for not fully implementing certain measures, such as restrictions on intellectual property applications for Russian companies. Nonetheless, the country continues to scrutinize and enforce sanctions to prevent circumvention and support international efforts against Russia's destabilizing actions.

​By Aghakazim Guliyev