New EU Sanctions Have Hit Facilities That Are Strategic For Lukashenko
- 24.07.2026, 8:39
It wasn't just the Mozyr Oil Refinery that was subject to the restrictions.
The European Union has officially imposed new sanctions against Belarus, aligning them with the 21st package of restrictions against Russia. The sanctions target the Mozyr Oil Refinery, the European Trading Company, and several enterprises linked to the defense industry. In addition, the EU has expanded trade, export, and financial restrictions against the Lukashenko regime, according to “Zerkalo”.
The EU Council’s decision of July 23, 2026, states that the restrictive measures against Belarus were adopted simultaneously with the 21st package of sanctions against Russia and were a response to Minsk’s continued support for Russian aggression against Ukraine.
In particular, the Mozyr Oil Refinery has been added to the sanctions list. Officials in Brussels note that the facility is part of the “Belneftekhim” concern, is almost entirely owned by the state and the company “Slavneft,” is of strategic importance to the Belarusian economy and the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, and is also a co-owner of the Belarusian Oil Company (BNK). According to the EU, the refinery “supports the Lukashenko regime and benefits from it.”
The Smolensk-registered European Trading Company (ETK)—a subsidiary of BNC established to sell petroleum products from the Mozyr Refinery and “Naftan” on the Russian market—has also been sanctioned.
In addition, the European Union has expanded the list of organizations prohibited from supplying dual-use goods and technologies. It includes the Russian electronics supplier “CHIP and DIP,” as well as three Belarusian enterprises: the Rogachev “Diaprojector” Plant, the “Display” Design Bureau, and the Case Products Plant.
At the same time, the list of products prohibited from export to Belarus has been expanded. The restrictions now cover nickel and beryllium powders, nickel and its alloys, certain materials for the aviation and defense industries, as well as equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including ground control stations, electronic warfare and interception systems, launchers, servomotors, and flight termination systems.
The EU has also imposed additional restrictions on imports of goods from Belarus. These apply to a number of ores and metals, unprocessed zinc, zinc and chromium oxides, thallium oil, glass products, and automotive parts. However, transition periods are provided for contracts already in place: Deliveries of tall oil, glass products, and auto parts may be completed until October 25, 2026, and Hungary will be able to continue importing certain Belarusian hydrocarbons until the end of the year.
Starting August 25, the EU will extend existing restrictions not only to crypto wallet and asset custody services but also to virtually all types of crypto-asset services for citizens and residents of Belarus. An exception has been made for citizens of EU countries, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland, as well as holders of temporary or permanent residence permits in these countries.
At the same time, the Council of the EU has provided an exception for the supply of equipment necessary to maintain civilian internet infrastructure in Belarus. National authorities in EU countries will be able to issue export licenses for communications equipment, computing equipment, and data storage media, provided they are intended for non-military users and are not used in networks more than half of which are controlled by the Belarusian government.
As a reminder, yesterday the EU Council adopted the 21st package of sanctions against Russia. It imposes new restrictions on Russian banks, the oil sector, and cryptocurrency services, and includes measures to increase pressure on oil refineries. At the same time, the European Union has aligned its sanctions regime against Belarus with that against Russia, expanding trade and export restrictions.