EU lists Turkish and UAE firms among 12 targets in anti-circumvention round

The Council of the European Union on 15 October added three individuals and nine entities to its Russia-related asset-freeze list for helping Moscow circumvent EU sanctions, according to a Council press release. The entities include two companies in Türkiye, two in Dubai, one in Mumbai and one in the Seychelles. The measures are an asset freeze, a ban on making funds or economic resources available to the listed parties, and a travel ban on the natural persons, the release says.

The legal acts are Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2332 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2333, both of 15 October, which amend the framework for actions that undermine Ukraine's territorial integrity. Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative, said in the release that "Circumventing EU sanctions is akin to aiding and abetting Russia's illegal war of aggression."

The Turkish and Emirati listings

The Official Journal annex lists two Turkish companies. Begler Tekstil Insaat Elektronik ve Dis Ticaret Ltd. Sti., with an address in Fatih, Istanbul, is described as a trade and logistics company operating through a global network and involved in the foreign trade and procurement of products subject to EU restrictions for Russia. Medse Group LLC, in Ankara, is described as an import company operating through a global corporate network. The annex says it facilitated international financial transactions through partnerships with major Russian financial institutions and the delivery of restricted goods to Russia. Both are listed for significantly frustrating Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, which sets the EU's sectoral measures against Russia.

In the United Arab Emirates, the annex lists HURUS TRADE FZE, of Dubai, which it describes as a trading intermediary supplying Russian-origin crude oil to India, in particular to Nayara Energy Limited, an entity already on the EU list. The text says HURUS TRADE is linked to a network connected with the Azerbaijani traders Etibar Eyyub and Tahir Garayev, both listed under EU measures. It is listed on the basis that it operates in the energy sector, a substantial source of revenue for the Russian government. DIS Logistics DMCC, based in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, is listed as the manager of vessels in the Russian shadow fleet that carry Russian crude or petroleum products.

The Russian payment and logistics firms

The three Russian entities are a cargo company, a customs broker and a payment agent. The annex describes Movers Group LLC of St Petersburg as organising transport and financing for parallel imports of restricted goods, and DT Inier LLC, with addresses in Moscow and Pskov, as a customs broker and logistics operator that allegedly offers turnkey procurement to bypass trade restrictions and owns warehouses in Europe. United Stream LLC is described as a payment agent used to evade EU financial measures. The annex gives its registration date as 11 March 2026, which makes it a company about seven months old at the time of listing.

The three individuals are Dmitry Chudovsky, general director of Movers Group, Ivanna Savchuk, majority shareholder of DT Inier, and Svetlana Gumenyuk, a director and founder of United Stream and a related company, PV Bridge LLC, according to the Official Journal text.

Shipping entries

The other three entries are in shipping. Vigor Marine Services LLP of Mumbai is listed as the manager of two vessels carrying Russian crude or petroleum products, and Shiva Shipping Ltd of Mahe, Seychelles, as the registered owner and manager of one. Both are listed under the criterion for irregular, high-risk shipping practices set out in International Maritime Organization resolution A.1192(33). The annex cites inadequate insurance for both, ship-to-ship transfers and manipulation of automatic identification systems for Vigor, and a lack of transparent governance for Shiva, as the entries state.

The listings come less than three months after the 21st sanctions package. The European Council, in its conclusions of 15 and 16 October, welcomed that package and called for further measures to reduce Russia's energy revenues, close loopholes and curb shadow fleet operations. For compliance teams in Türkiye and the Gulf, the practical effect is that EU operators must freeze funds and economic resources belonging to the listed parties and may not make funds or economic resources available to them, as the Council release describes.