2026-02-20 19:41
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2026-02-20 19:41
New Zealand has introduced one of the most severe sanctions packages against Russian maritime operations, imposing sanctions on 23 people, 13 entities and 100 ships belonging to Russia's shadow fleet, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Friday.
Additionally, the government in Wellington lowered the price ceiling for crude oil of Russian origin to $44.10 per barrel.
These restrictions apply from Friday, February 20.
The New Zealand government's sanctions include, among others: agents of the Russian military intelligence (GRU), weapons producers, founders of the cryptocurrency exchange, including the three co-founders of Garantex, and seven companies related to weapons from Iran, North Korea and Belarus, accused of murder and sabotage.
The latter group included the special economic zone in Alabuga in Tatarstan, which is the main Russian plant producing Iran-designed Shahed drones assembled by women recruited from African countries. Also on New Zealand's sanctions list are NPO Bazalt, a manufacturer of weapons such as RPG 7 grenade launchers, and the Chelyabinsk tractor factory, which actually produces tank engines.
This is the 35th package of sanctions imposed by the New Zealand government on Russian companies and individuals since March 2022. New Zealand previously introduced trade and financial restrictions against over 1,800 people. people, including Putin, members of the Russian government and deputies of the Russian parliament. (PAP)
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