On November 12, 2025, the Global Affairs Canada announced a new package of sanctions against Russia under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. The measures were unveiled by Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who stated that the restrictions target individuals, entities and vessels assisting Russia’s military and hybrid-warfare capabilities in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
What the sanctions cover
- The sanctions list 13 individuals and 11 corporate entities linked to Russia’s drone programme, cyber-infrastructure and energy sector.
- For the first time, Canada sanctions companies supplying cyber-infrastructure used in Russia’s hybrid warfare strategies.
- Several Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) entities are included, reflecting Moscow’s reliance on energy revenues to fund military operations.
- The measures also target 100 vessels from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” — ships used to transport goods and oil for the Russian war effort via non-transparent routes.
The motive and broader context
Minister Anita Anand stressed that Canada remains “unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and its people” and will continue to use economic pressure to hold Russia accountable.
These new sanctions are part of coordinated efforts with Canada’s G7 partners including the European Union, United Kingdom and the Government of the United States, to raise the costs of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Why it matters
- By targeting Russia’s drone manufacturing, cyber infrastructure and energy revenues, Canada is seeking to undermine key enablers of the war in Ukraine.
- The inclusion of vessels from the so-called shadow fleet signals a tightening of maritime channels used by Russia to evade sanctions.
- These sanctions reaffirm Canada’s role in the international coalition pushing for accountability and cost-imposition on Moscow.
- For businesses and organizations globally, the new Canadian measures add another layer of compliance risk when engaging with entities connected to Russia’s military-industrial complex.
What comes next
Observers will be looking at how the sanctioned individuals and entities respond, whether Russia retaliates with reciprocal measures, and whether further rounds of sanctions will follow as the conflict continues. Canada has stressed its readiness to impose additional restrictions if needed.
