Russia’s “August Curse” Deepens as EU Prepares Its Broadest Sanctions Package

In August 2026 Russia faces military setbacks, civilian casualties, economic strain and political anxiety that observers label the “August curse.” At the same time, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that the bloc will present its most far-reaching sanctions list since the war began, aiming to increase the number of sanctioned Russian entities by a third.

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)

The superstition of a “black August” dates back to the 1991 coup attempt and has been reinforced by a string of disasters—including plane crashes, a submarine accident, and wars in Georgia and Chechnya. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the EU has imposed 21 rounds of sanctions; the July 2026 package targeted banking and cryptocurrency networks. Kallas’ upcoming autumn package would add roughly 1,600 individuals and entities, primarily linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex.

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)

• Civilian casualties: an estimated 1.4 million casualties, including about 500,000 deaths (Russian war-time estimates).

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)

• Drone attacks: Ukrainian drones struck a Black Sea beach (7 deaths), an oil refinery (13 deaths) and other sites (9 deaths).

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)

• Public mood: the Kremlin-linked Public Opinion Foundation reported 55 % of Russians describing anxiety as the dominant mood, up from 40 % in 2025.

iNews

• Sanctions scale: the upcoming list would raise the total number of sanctioned Russian entities by one-third, adding roughly 1,600 designations.

The Irish Times

Kallas did not give a precise timetable but indicated the package would be presented in the autumn. Russian officials have framed domestic hardships as external aggression. Economist Andrei Klepach was dismissed after warning that the worsening economy could trigger a “social crisis” reminiscent of 1917. Analysts note that the Ukrainian air campaign and refinery strikes are eroding public confidence ahead of the September State Duma elections, and that gasoline shortages are fueling anxiety.

Massive EU sanctions against Russia are coming, Kallas tells German Die Welt

Senior economic officials have begun voicing concerns about the war’s impact on the Russian economy, but no organized opposition to the sanctions or the “August curse” narrative appears in the sourced material.

The European Union intends to expand its sanctions against Russia in the coming months

• “The ‘August curse’ meme is one that is half believed in Russia, half raised tongue-in-cheek,” — Dr Mark Galeotti, historian.

iNews

• Early August 2026: Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian civilian and energy targets, causing multiple fatalities and fires.

Massive EU sanctions against Russia are coming, Kallas tells German Die Welt

• Mid-August 2026: Public Opinion Foundation reports anxiety as the prevailing mood among Russians.

iNews

• August 17 2026: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announces the forthcoming sanctions package that will increase sanctioned entities by a third.

Reuters

The EU is expected to present the expanded sanctions list to member states in early September, with adoption targeted for October. Russian authorities may consider a second mobilisation wave before the September parliamentary elections, a scenario that remains a “top concern” for the public, according to analysts.

The Irish Times