EU officially adopts 16th package of sanctions against Russia

Editor's note: The story is being updated.

The European Union officially approved its 16th package of sanctions imposed against Russia in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The new measures, announced on the third anniversary of the all-out war, target Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, banks, aluminum imports, and other sectors.

"For three years now, Russia has relentlessly bombed Ukraine, attempting to steal land that isn’t theirs to take," the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said in a statement.

"There is no doubt about who the aggressor is, who should pay and be held accountable for this war. Every sanction package deprives the Kremlin of funds to wage war."

Forty-eight persons and 35 entities were listed in the 16th package of sanctions, which was approved by EU ambassadors last week.