Ukraine has imposed new sanctions against legal entities and individuals from Russia, Iran, and China.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed the relevant decree.

Thus, the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, dated September 19, 2024, “On the Application of Personal Special Economic and Other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)” was put into effect.

Decree No. 638 provides for the imposition of sanctions against six citizens of the Russian Federation, Iran, and China for a period of ten years. As well as against 40 legal entities from these countries for the same period.

In particular, this is related to the supply of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. The new package of measures also includes companies involved in the production and supply of Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones, which the Russian invasion forces are actively using to attack civilian and military targets in Ukraine.

The Economic Security Council analyzed the relevant sanctions and explained how they could be made even more effective.

It is noted that the main element of this sanctions package was the restriction on Iran Air, the largest airline in Iran based in Tehran. It performs both passenger and cargo transportation. However, according to experts, despite the international community’s quick response to the possible supply of Fath-360 missiles to Russia, the sanctions coalition’s actions still lack scale and effectiveness.

According to Denys Hutyk, Senior Advisor to the Economic Security Council, restrictions on Iranian-Russian military cooperation should be more strategic and comprehensive.

He noted that it is not enough to sanction the largest airline – it is necessary to carefully monitor its circumvention schemes and keep an eye on other players in the market. It is also necessary to block shell companies and control European air carriers and airports cooperating with sanctioned and fictitious companies.

In addition, coordination between Western partners and synchronization of sanctions regimes is important.

The Council’s experts analyzed the restrictions imposed by the main members of the sanctions coalition based on a sample of nine Iranian and Russian companies directly involved in military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. The study’s results revealed significant differences between Western partners.

“For example, only the United States imposed restrictions on the Iranian company Sahara Thunder, which is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Defense and participated in the agreement on the production of Shahed drones in Russia,” the Economic Security Council stated in a press release.