Russia’s vast shadow fleet of ships that Moscow is exploiting to skirt restrictions on transporting oil and gas, or carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, was also targeted. Fifty-two vessels were added to a growing list of ships banned from European ports and deprived of services.

European Union foreign ministers on Monday signed off on the bloc's 15th round of sanctions since Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The new economic measures aim to curb the circumvention of already existing EU sanctions and to weaken the Russia military and defence industry.

EU sanctions chief David O'Sullivan and Ukrainian officials have pointed to China as the main route for sales of foreign technology to Russia.