The Council of the European Union on 14 July 2026 imposed restrictive measures on 15 individuals and one entity for serious human rights violations against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees in occupied Ukrainian territories and Russia. The sanctions target eight Russian individuals and one entity under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, and seven additional individuals under a separate Russia-specific sanctions regime. Those listed face asset freezes and travel bans, with EU citizens and companies prohibited from making funds available to them.
The decision lists Dmitry Neelov, first deputy head of the Olenivka prison in Donetsk region, for involvement in torture, beating, and humiliation of Ukrainian POWs and civilians, and for delaying evacuation after the mass killing of prisoners on 28-29 July 2022. Alexei Khavetsky, head of security at Penal Colony No. 7 in Pakino, Russia, is sanctioned for orchestrating systematic mistreatment including electric shocks, starvation, and sexual violence. Yan Zanevsky, an FSB officer, is listed for illegal detention and torture in Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The entity sanctioned is Pre-trial detention center-2 Taganrog (SIZO 2), where systemic torture led to deaths including journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna.
Under the Russia-specific regime, the Council targets Alexander Gnutov, head of Penal Colony No. 10 in Udarny, his five deputy heads, and medical unit head Galina Mokshanova for abuse of Ukrainian civilians and POWs, including electric shocks, beatings, sexual violence, mock executions, and denial of medical care. The EU reiterates its condemnation of torture and killing of Ukrainian detainees and calls for unhindered access by independent monitors such as the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The sanctions build on the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime established on 7 December 2020, which covers genocide, crimes against humanity, and other serious abuses. A separate Russia sanctions regime was adopted on 27 May 2024 targeting human rights violations and repression of civil society in Russia. The European Council on 23 March 2023 had stressed the need for accountability for violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine. On 16 March 2026, the EU delivered a statement at the UN Human Rights Council condemning Russia's violations including summary executions and torture.
The legal acts were published in the Official Journal of the EU on 13 July 2026. The sanctions impact Russian officials and detention facilities, while EU businesses must comply with asset freezes and funding prohibitions. The measures aim to increase pressure on Russia over its treatment of Ukrainian detainees and reinforce the EU's commitment to human rights accountability.