Australia announces the largest package of sanctions against Russia

Australia has announced the largest package of sanctions against Russia since 2022.

The government said in a statement that the new sanctions include targeted financial measures and travel bans for 70 individuals, as well as targeted financial sanctions for 79 organisations.

The new restrictions are aimed at occupation «officials» in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, including so-called ministers, judges and prosecutors, as well as those responsible for sexual violence during the conflict and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

The sanctions also target individuals and organisations that facilitate the deepening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the involvement of North Korean troops in hostilities.

The Australian government has stressed that the deepening of Russian-North Korean military cooperation is a dangerous expansion of Russia's war with serious consequences for the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.

The sanctions also target Russia's defence, transport and financial sectors, as well as those who spread disinformation to undermine Ukraine and governments around the world.

In total, Australia has imposed over 1400 sanctions in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In addition, Australia has allocated more than $1.5 billion in aid to Ukraine, including more than $1.3 billion in military support, including providing «vital» equipment for Ukrainians to fight and train.

As a reminder, on 19 February, the European Union agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia. This is the 16th sanctions package since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.