Switzerland updates Ukraine lists, lifts Yelo Bank messaging ban

BERN, August 18, 2026 — Switzerland refreshed hundreds of restricted-party records linked to its Ukraine measures and removed Azerbaijan’s Yelo Bank from a financial-messaging services prohibition. Both changes took effect Aug. 17.

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs amended records for four individuals and hundreds of entities classified as end recipients subject to restrictions under Switzerland’s March 4, 2022, Ukraine ordinance. The affected records are predominantly Russian and span defense, aerospace, shipbuilding, electronics, research and logistics organizations, with additional entities in Iran and other jurisdictions.

Many records contain aliases, addresses, websites, email addresses, tax numbers and other registration data. The update does not isolate the exact field changed for every subject, but the amendments may affect sanctions-screening matches and internal list maintenance because identifying information can distinguish similarly named parties.

Separately, SECO de-listed Yelo Bank, identified as an Azerbaijani bank, from the group of banks, companies and organizations prohibited from using certain specialized financial-messaging services. The bank had been listed on May 22, 2026, and is no longer covered by that specific restriction following its Aug. 17 removal.

The changes were issued Aug. 14 and identified as originating from EU measures.