EU sanctions Russian GRU lieutenant general over hybrid threats

BRUSSELS, July 13, 2026 — The European Union on Sunday imposed sanctions on Ivan Sergeevich Kasyanenko, a Russian lieutenant general and deputy commander of the GRU’s Special Operations Service, under its regime targeting Russia’s destabilizing activities. The move was adopted through Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1710 and took effect upon publication in the Official Journal.

The EU said Kasyanenko was added to Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 because he is a senior official overseeing Special Operations Service activities and was identified as a principal organizer and supervisor of operations linked to former GRU Unit 29155 activity in Afghanistan, including alleged efforts to offer financial incentives for attacks against U.S. and international coalition personnel.

The bloc also said Kasyanenko coordinated operations tied to the 2018 Novichok poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal, and linked him to covert Russian activity in Europe, the management and integration of Wagner Group networks in Africa in 2023, and military-technical cooperation initiatives involving Iran.

In the regulation, the Council said the listing was warranted because Kasyanenko was responsible for implementing actions or policies attributable to the Russian government that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in third countries, including by exploiting armed conflict, instability and insecurity. The regulation adds one person to the sanctions list.