16.03.2026 19:02
The European Union has decided to impose sanctions on 9 Russian military officials who committed crimes against humanity in the town of Bucha, Ukraine. The assets of those on the sanctions list will be frozen.
The European Union (EU) Council has decided to impose sanctions on 9 individuals due to their role in the events in the city of Bucha, located in the Kyiv region of Ukraine.
9 INDIVIDUALS ADDED TO THE SANCTIONS LIST
In a written statement regarding the sanctions from the EU Council, it was stated that 9 individuals who played a significant role in the events that took place in Bucha during the February-March 2022 period and are held responsible for actions threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence have been added to the sanctions list.
Among those sanctioned is former Eastern Military District Commander Colonel General Aleksandr Chayko, one of the highest-ranking Russian military officials on the ground at the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, who was noted to have commanded operations in Ukraine during the period when Russian troops entered Bucha.
"RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST CIVILIANS"
The statement indicated that other high-ranking military officials added to the list also commanded troops during the early days of Russia's attack on Ukraine and are responsible for crimes committed against civilians in surrounding settlements.
The statement drew attention to the fact that the units commanded by these individuals were involved in incidents where hundreds of civilians were killed, and in some cases, executions were carried out, as well as actions such as looting, torture, and forcing civilians to carry the bodies of deceased Russian soldiers.
"ADOPTED A CHILD ILLEGALLY TAKEN TO RUSSIA"
The statement also noted that one of the individuals on the sanctions list is responsible for adopting a child who was illegally taken to Russia from the Donetsk region.
ASSETS WILL BE FROZEN
The statement emphasized that the actions in question constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes, and that the assets of individuals covered by the sanctions will be frozen, and that EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing any financial resources to these individuals.
ENTRY BAN TO EU COUNTRIES
The statement also expressed that an entry and transit ban to EU countries will be applied for these individuals.
Currently, approximately 2,600 individuals and entities are targeted under the sanctions imposed by the EU due to Russia's attack on Ukraine.
Russia entered the city of Bucha, located in the Kyiv region, in 2022 when the war began and withdrew from the city a month later. The Kyiv administration accused Russia of committing a massacre in Bucha, where Russian soldiers had withdrawn a few days later. Russia claimed that the allegations were a provocation.