Newsletter of the main news 26.10/01.11

1.            International Sanctions Policy

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to allow Russian national teams to compete. Russia’s sports minister announced the ruling, which concerns the teams’ exclusion from international competitions for the 2026/2027 season.

The European Union insists that it will not return to Russian energy supplies, even after the war ends. The European Commission has emphasized that phasing out Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas is part of the EU’s long-term energy strategy.

Russia and Belarus remain subject to partial sanctions in bobsleigh and skeleton. Restrictions on athletes from both countries remain in place despite the gradual easing of participation rules by some international sports federations.

Serbia’s election winners have stated that they do not intend to impose sanctions against Russia. Representatives of the “Student List” movement said they would not change their position on Moscow, which they consider a historical partner of Serbia.

Russia has increased diesel production following the easing of sanctions. The rise in output comes amid the resumption of Russian diesel exports and agreements with the United States on fuel supplies.

2.            Sanctions Violations and Circumvention

US companies are refusing to buy Russian diesel despite calls from the Trump administration. Potential buyers are concerned about legal and reputational risks associated with purchasing Russian fuel, including possible sanctions-related exposure.

A Belarusian national has been sentenced in the United States to 12 months and one day in prison for illegally supplying aviation equipment to Russia. According to the US Department of Justice, Yana Leonova used shell companies, falsified documents and intermediaries in other countries to conceal exports of US-made components.

Extreme Networks has agreed to pay nearly $976,000 to resolve a case involving violations of US sanctions and export controls. Between 2018 and 2022, the company’s Russian subsidiary made 11 shipments of equipment and services to a Russian air defence manufacturer without the required authorizations.

A man in Seattle has been arrested on charges of illegally shipping restricted goods to Russia. According to prosecutors, Ilya Pankov used intermediary companies in Turkey, South Korea and Kazakhstan to conceal the equipment’s end users. The charges remain allegations and do not constitute proof of guilt.

Vladimir Putin has proposed relocating Russian factories to Africa. The initiative envisages expanding Russia’s industrial presence on the continent and developing manufacturing cooperation with African countries.

Russian diesel is being shipped to the United States aboard the tanker Leruo, which is subject to EU, UK and Canadian sanctions. The vessel was sanctioned, among other reasons, for transporting Russian cargo and allegedly switching off its tracking systems. The shipment comes amid reported agreements between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Russian diesel exports to the US.

Car dealerships in Kazakhstan are refusing to sell vehicles to Russian citizens because of the risk of violating international sanctions. According to media reports, some dealers have introduced restrictions on buyers holding Russian passports. However, there is no indication of a nationwide ban on car sales to Russians.

3.            Ukraine’s Sanctions Policy

Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice has filed a claim with the High Anti-Corruption Court seeking the forfeiture of Ruslan Abdurakhmanov’s assets to the state. According to the ministry, a company under his control had been fulfilling state contracts for the occupation authorities in Crimea since 2017. The claim seeks the recovery of corporate rights, real estate, vehicles and other assets.

Ukraine has imposed new sanctions against Russia. The restrictions target individuals and companies involved in supporting Russian aggression and activities that contribute to the functioning of Russia’s military-industrial complex.

Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence has published information on 49 Russian and Belarusian companies involved in the Rassvet satellite communications project. The system is being developed as a Russian alternative to Starlink and may be used for military purposes. According to Ukrainian intelligence, 23 of the 49 entities are not subject to international sanctions.

A Kyiv apartment belonging to Russian propagandist Artemy Lebedev has been sold at auction. The proceeds from the sale of the seized property are to be handled in accordance with Ukraine’s procedures for managing confiscated assets.