EU imposes sanctions on Russian executive, five companies over drones

The ‌European Union announced sanctions on Friday against a Russian executive and five Russian companies, saying they were involved in the manufacture of drones. (Reuters/File)

• ⁠It said it ⁠was imposing sanctions on Irina Kharisova, chair of the board of ABS Electro.
• The five Russian entities on the list were part of the ⁠ABS Electro group of companies

BRUSSELS: The ‌European Union announced sanctions on Friday against a Russian executive and five Russian companies, saying they were involved in the manufacture of drones.
The Council of the European Union said the decision had been made in the wake of escalating Russian attacks on ‌Kyiv and other ‌parts of Ukraine this ‌month.
⁠It said it ⁠was imposing sanctions on Irina Kharisova, chair of the board of ABS Electro.
The five Russian entities on the list were part of the ⁠ABS Electro group of companies, ‌which develops ‌and manufactures electronic and radio-electronic components ‌needed for drone warfare, the Council ‌added.
“These actors form part of the Russian military-industrial complex, specifically by being involved in drone manufacturing,” the Council ‌of the European Union said in a statement.
The ⁠sanctions ⁠mean Kharisova’s assets are frozen, and that Kharisova will be banned from traveling to the EU.
The EU is also trying to agree a 21st package of sanctions against Russia, which would target Russia’s banks and crypto networks as well as drone production, oil traders and refiners.