The European Council announced sanctions on December 16, 2024, targeting 16 individuals and three entities deemed responsible for Russia's destabilizing hybrid activities against EU member states and partners. This marks the first use of new EU powers established in October 2024 to counter Kremlin’s hybrid threats. Sanctioned parties include operatives from the Russian military intelligence GRU Unit 29155, staff involved in spreading propaganda such as Sofia Zakharova and Nikolai Tupikin, individuals linked to espionage against the German Federal Intelligence Service, and collaborators operating in France coordinating migrant movements. Sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and prohibitions on financial transactions by EU citizens and companies with those targeted. The EU’s actions respond to a broad campaign of Russian hybrid activities including cyberattacks, disinformation, sabotage, airspace violations, migrant instrumentalization, and physical attacks. However, questions about the EU's coordination with allies such as the US and UK and its ability to attribute hostile acts effectively have been raised. NATO has also expressed concern and plans measures against Russian malign activities.

The European Council announced sanctions on December 16, 2024, targeting 16 individuals and three entities deemed responsible for Russia's destabilizing hybrid activities against EU member states and partners. This marks the first use of new EU powers established in October 2024 to counter Kremlin’s hybrid threats. Sanctioned parties include operatives from the Russian military intelligence GRU Unit 29155, staff involved in spreading propaganda such as Sofia Zakharova and Nikolai Tupikin, individuals linked to espionage against the German Federal Intelligence Service, and collaborators operating in France coordinating migrant movements. Sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and prohibitions on financial transactions by EU citizens and companies with those targeted. The EU’s actions respond to a broad campaign of Russian hybrid activities including cyberattacks, disinformation, sabotage, airspace violations, migrant instrumentalization, and physical attacks. However, questions about the EU's coordination with allies such as the US and UK and its ability to attribute hostile acts effectively have been raised. NATO has also expressed concern and plans measures against Russian malign activities.