On December 16, 2024, the European Union imposed its first-ever sanctions on Russian military intelligence agents responsible for hybrid attacks aimed at destabilizing Europe. The sanctions targeted 16 individuals and three entities, including Moscow's GRU military intelligence unit 29155, accused of involvement in assassinations, bombings, and cyber-attacks across Europe. GRU agents Denis Smolyaninov and Vladimir Lipchenko were specifically sanctioned for sabotage activities in Europe including Latvia. The GRU was described as preparing explosions and arson on EU territory to slow weapon supply to Ukraine and create discord. Other sanctioned officials were linked to Moscow's “doppelganger” campaign of creating fake European news websites for spreading disinformation. Additional sanctions were placed on a Moldovan businessman and a Russian official for recruiting agents in France and on three accused spies in Germany, including a former parliamentary assistant to a Bundestag lawmaker. The EU also targeted people spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation in Africa to advance Kremlin goals. This marks a significant EU step against Russian hybrid warfare tactics employing disinformation, cyber-attacks, sabotage, and espionage.

On December 16, 2024, the European Union imposed its first-ever sanctions on Russian military intelligence agents responsible for hybrid attacks aimed at destabilizing Europe. The sanctions targeted 16 individuals and three entities, including Moscow's GRU military intelligence unit 29155, accused of involvement in assassinations, bombings, and cyber-attacks across Europe. GRU agents Denis Smolyaninov and Vladimir Lipchenko were specifically sanctioned for sabotage activities in Europe including Latvia. The GRU was described as preparing explosions and arson on EU territory to slow weapon supply to Ukraine and create discord. Other sanctioned officials were linked to Moscow's “doppelganger” campaign of creating fake European news websites for spreading disinformation. Additional sanctions were placed on a Moldovan businessman and a Russian official for recruiting agents in France and on three accused spies in Germany, including a former parliamentary assistant to a Bundestag lawmaker. The EU also targeted people spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation in Africa to advance Kremlin goals. This marks a significant EU step against Russian hybrid warfare tactics employing disinformation, cyber-attacks, sabotage, and espionage.