EU Broadens Sanctions to Include Russian Cyber-Crime and Repression Tools

On 13 July 2026 the European Union adopted a new sanctions package that adds individuals and entities linked to cybercrime and human-rights violations to its existing Russia measures. The list includes the social-media platform VKontakte and its subsidiary Communication Platform LLC for developing and managing the pre-installed “MaxApp” on Russian smartphones. It also names hardware-software firms Citadel, VAS Experts and Norsi-Trans, as well as officers of the GRU (Russia’s military intelligence service) and other cybercriminal groups alleged to support destabilisation efforts in Europe.

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• VKontakte – popular social-media app; its MaxApp is installed on all mobile devices sold in Russia.

UsNews and World Report

• Communication Platform LLC – subsidiary responsible for MaxApp’s development and management.

The Jerusalem Post

• Citadel, VAS Experts, Norsi-Trans – companies that produce and sell hardware and software for a surveillance system that monitors phone calls, emails, texts and social-network activity.

UsNews and World Report

• GRU officers – personnel from Russia’s military intelligence service.

UsNews and World Report

• Various cyber-threat groups – entities the EU says are directed by the FSB security agency.

The Straits Times

EU officials state the sanctions aim to curb a surveillance network that “targets journalists, opposition figures, minority groups, and ordinary citizens.” They argue MaxApp is used to repress critics of Russia’s war against Ukraine and to block content prohibited by authorities. The EU also accuses the FSB of controlling a variety of cyber-threat groups and seeks to deter further Russian attempts to destabilise Europe.

The Straits Times

By adding these tech and intelligence actors, the EU signals a shift toward penalising digital tools that enable state repression. The measures could pressure Russian companies to alter or remove surveillance capabilities, while also signalling to European allies that cyber-enabled human-rights abuses will attract coordinated economic responses.

The Jerusalem Post

• “• The app is pre-installed on all mobile devices sold in Russia.” — European Union, official statement

The Straits Times

• “• EU countries said MaxApp was used for repression of critics of Russia's war against Ukraine and of people who posted other content banned by authorities.” — European Union, official statement

The Straits Times

• “• The EU said this network targets journalists, opposition figures, minority groups, and ordinary citizens.” — European Union, official statement

UsNews and World Report

• “• It also accused the FSB of controlling "a variety of cyber threat groups".” — European Union, official statement

The Straits Times