By Julia Payne

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union has adopted a 15th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which includes tougher measures against Chinese entities and additional vessels from Moscow's shadow fleet, as stated by the EU Commission on Monday.

The new package adds 52 vessels from the shadow fleet attempting to bypass Western restrictions to transport oil, arms, and grains, raising the total to 79.

Since the start of this year, the EU has been listing ships in response to an increase in unregulated vessels transporting cargoes without conventional Western insurance. The list also includes vessels that have supplied North Korean ammunition to Russia.

Out of the 52 vessels sanctioned, 33 are linked to the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating from or exported by Russia, increasing the total for oil transport sanctions to 43.

The new restrictions also encompass 84 additional individuals and entities, including seven from China.

"Namely, one individual and two entities facilitating the circumvention of EU sanctions and four entities supplying sensitive drone components and microelectronic components to the Russian military," the statement elaborated regarding the Chinese listings.

These Chinese sanctions represent the first comprehensive measures against the country, including travel bans and asset freezes.

"The step to fully-fledged sanctions sends an important signal to the Chinese. We take this very seriously," an EU diplomat emphasized.

EU sanctions chief David O'Sullivan and Ukrainian officials identified China as a key route for technology sales to Russia.

CHINESE LISTINGS

Diplomats noted that the prior Chinese listings in Russian sanctions only entailed export controls rather than comprehensive sanctions.

Moreover, the list includes senior managers from Russia's energy sector, two high-ranking North Korean officials, and 20 Russian companies and entities located in India, Iran, Serbia, and the UAE.

Also sanctioned was EU citizen Niels Troost, identified as the individual controlling the energy trading firm, Paramount Energy and Commodities DMCC. The EU claims that Paramount DMCC "repeatedly traded Russian crude oil above the oil price cap after its introduction." Troost was also implicated for connections to Livna Shipping Ltd, accused of trading crude oil above the cap.

Livna has not responded to Reuters’ request for comment; their website states that "Mr. Niels Troost has no affiliation whatsoever with Livna and played no role in Livna’s operations."

Troost could not be reached for immediate comment. Paramount DMCC was sanctioned by Britain in November last year.

EU countries also introduced financial measures to alleviate the burden on EU central securities depositories, such as Belgium's Euroclear, when managing Russia's immobilised central bank assets.

This year, the Group of Seven (G7) nations agreed to utilize over $300 billion in frozen funds to support a $50 billion loan for Ukraine to assist in its fight against Russian forces.

The Commission is set to prepare a 16th package of sanctions for January, which may include broader measures regarding Russian liquefied natural gas and export limits on EU companies’ subsidiaries in third countries.