The Council of the European Union (EU) on Monday added 826 Russian companies and 743 individuals linked to Russia's military industry to its sanctions lists. The restrictions apply to a total of 1,569 entities.

The EU Council called this the single largest expansion of sanctions lists since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine. The respective legal acts were published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The restrictions now include companies that supply components for Russian missiles, drones, and aviation equipment. The list of products that have come into the focus of the EU's attention includes electronic components, semiconductors, microcircuits, computers, communication equipment, radars, antennas, transmitters, as well as navigation and optical systems. The heads of several companies have also been put on these sanctions lists.

According to the EU Council's explanation, the new restrictions are aimed also at medium-level suppliers that provide key needs for Russian military production. The inclusion in the sanctions lists envisions the freezing of assets. Also, individuals on the lists are prohibited from entering and transiting through the EU.

In addition, it is prohibited to provide funds and economic resources, directly or indirectly, to the listed individuals and entities.