---
title: "Entry Ban and Blow to the 'Shadow Fleet': EU Prepares 21st Sanctions Package Against Russia"
description: "The EU is preparing the 21st sanctions package against Russia: for the first time, an entry ban is introduced for former Russian combatants. 🚫🇪🇺 The blow hits 660+ \"shadow fleet\" vessels, ports, and 90 banks. Adoption of the package is expected as early as July. 🛑📉"
date: 2026-06-09T12:14:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/eu-21st-sanctions-package-entry-ban-for-russians
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Entry Ban and Blow to the 'Shadow Fleet': EU Prepares 21st Sanctions Package Against Russia

![Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference announcing the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia, including entry bans and measures against the 'shadow fleet'](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/09/es-21-paket-sanktsii-zapret-vyezd-rossiyanam/es-21-paket-sanktsii-zapret-vyezd-rossiyanam-1.webp)

The European Union is preparing a significant expansion of restrictive measures against the Russian Federation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen officially announced the proposal for the 21st sanctions package, which comes into force amidst a shift in political course in Hungary. The new package not only expands economic pressure but also introduces unprecedented personal restrictions for participants in the conflict.

### For the first time: Entry ban for Russian combatants

One of the key innovations is the decision to ban entry into EU countries for Russians who have participated in hostilities against Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that this is a measure that has not previously existed in the bloc's sanctions practice.

"Today we are proposing the 21st sanctions package. We are focusing on sectors with the greatest impact, namely energy, financial services and cryptocurrency, trade, and for the first time this time fisheries are included, and we are banning former Russian combatants from entering the European Union," said the head of the European Commission.

### Blow to the 'shadow fleet' and infrastructure

A significant part of the package is aimed at combating the export of Russian oil in circumvention of price caps. Another 30 vessels are added to the list of sanctions restrictions, which, together with the 632 ships already under ban, will bring the total number of "shadow fleet" vessels to more than 660 units.

The EU is moving to tougher measures covering not only the tankers themselves but also the infrastructure servicing them. The following are under attack:

    - Vessels providing fuel and other services to the "shadow fleet";

    - Ports and airports involved in Russian oil logistics;

    - Oil refineries trading or processing Russian raw materials.

In addition, a direct ban on the sale of oil tankers to Russia is introduced, which should complicate the fleet renewal to circumvent restrictions.

### Financial sector and new targets

Alongside logistical restrictions, Brussels is preparing a blow to the financial system. The 21st package will include 170 individuals and legal entities, including 90 banks. This decision is aimed at isolating key players in the Russian economy.

The adoption of the package is expected in late June or early July. The rapid advancement of the initiative became possible due to the change of power in Hungary, where the new team lifted the blockage that previously stalled the introduction of restrictions.

### Military pressure and sanctions results

Pressure on Russia is also increasing in the military aspect. The naval forces of EU countries have been given the right not just to observe, but to board Russian "shadow fleet" vessels in the Mediterranean Sea. Until now, the IRINI mission was limited only to monitoring suspicious ships.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas assessed the effectiveness of the measures already introduced: according to her, sanctions have caused damage to the Kremlin amounting to $1.5 trillion. The new package is expected to hit another 80 Russian organizations and individuals, continuing the course of systematically limiting the capabilities of the Russian economy.