New Zealand has announced a new package of sanctions against individuals and legal entities that support Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine. The restrictions apply to 33 individuals and organisations.
This was reported by the New Zealand government.
This is already New Zealand’s 36th sanctions package against Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The new package places particular emphasis on countering Russian cybercriminals, as well as individuals and structures involved in the forced transfer, abduction and “re-education” of Ukrainian children through Russian state programmes.
“Children should never be used as instruments of war. New Zealand remains deeply concerned about attempts to abduct and re-educate Ukrainian children through coercive state programmes,” Peters said.
The sanctions list also includes individuals whom New Zealand considers to be involved in malicious cyber activity, the spread of anti-Ukrainian propaganda, and attempts to legitimise Moscow’s aggression.
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According to the minister, Russian cybercriminals are being used to gather intelligence, evade sanctions and attack those who oppose Russian aggression.
The new restrictions also target representatives of Russia’s military-industrial complex, Russian political figures, as well as representatives of North Korea and Iran who support Moscow’s war effort.
Since March 2022, the country has imposed sanctions on more than 2,000 individuals, companies and vessels, and has also introduced a range of trade restrictions against Russia.