The New Zealand government has announced new sanctions targeting Russian and Belarusian companies and individuals, as well as adding four North Korean and two Iranian nationals to its sanctions list for their involvement in supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to a statement by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the new sanctions apply to 18 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex, as well as several enablers from North Korea, Iran, and Belarus.
"Our sanctions are aligned with those of like-minded countries from Asia Pacific, Europe and North America including Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States and Canada. Together we aim to exert pressure on Russia to change course by limiting its ability to finance and equip the war in Ukraine," the statements reads.
Wellington has also imposed restrictions on 27 vessels from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
Among the Russian companies sanctioned are key players in the aviation and defense industries, including the commercial drone operator Aeroscan, the combat aircraft developer OKB Yakovlev, and the Kalashnikov Concern—Russia’s largest manufacturer of automatic weapons and ammunition.
Since March 2022, New Zealand has imposed more than 35 rounds of sanctions against Russian entities and individuals, as well as foreign actors involved in or supporting Russia’s aggressive war in Ukraine.
To date, various New Zealand restrictions—including trade and financial sanctions—have been applied to over 1,800 Russian individuals, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, government officials, members of the Security Council, State Duma and Federation Council deputies, governors, and Russian-appointed administrators in occupied Ukrainian territories. Around 400 Russian companies, 20 financial institutions including the Russian central bank, and 37 propaganda media outlets and journalists are also under New Zealand sanctions.
