Europe: Conflict-related sanctions and restrictions continue to cause disruptions throughout the region as of Jan. 17 /update 9

Sanctions and restrictions imposed by various governments in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine continue to cause disruptions across Europe as of mid-January.

Polish truckers suspended their blockade at the Polish-Ukrainian border on Jan. 17 following a deal struck between the infrastructure minister in Warsaw and truckers' representatives on Jan. 16. The border crossing points of Medyka-Shehyni, Korczowa-Krakowets, Hrebenne-Rava Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn have reopened as authorities work through the accumulated traffic. Further occasional blockades might still occur in the coming weeks.

The city of Voronezh, Russia, declared a state of emergency on Jan. 16 following a loitering munitions strike in the area. Airstrikes in regions bordering Ukraine have increased since late December 2023; Russia maintains heightened security in all these regions. Russian authorities also maintain a terrorism "Security Level 3" threat level at all airports in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Enhanced security measures, including additional patrols and checkpoints, and intensive baggage, vehicle, and passenger checks are likely while Security Level 3 is in force, prompting possible passenger processing delays.

Travel Restrictions
Multiple governments, including Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Poland, the UK, and the US, have issued travel advisories calling on their nationals to avoid travel to Russia and for those currently in that country to depart by commercial means immediately or when it is safe to do so. Additionally, several nations have tightened visa requirements for Russian nationals. Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and the Czech Republic restrict most nonessential travel by Russian citizens. In response, Russia has tightened visa requirements for citizens of EU countries and banned certain categories of EU officials from entering Russia.

Heightened Security and General Disruptions
Several countries bordering Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia have implemented heightened security. Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia, and Latvia have enacted states of emergency. Ukraine has closed its border checkpoints with Belarus, Russia, and the breakaway Transnistria region of Moldova to foreign nationals; however, Ukrainian citizens are permitted to return. Belarus has also implemented enhanced security measures on its border with Ukraine.

Cyber Threats
Russian-backed hackers have maintained a constant campaign of cyberattacks against Ukrainian, NATO, EU, and other Western entities, principally targeting government and defense-related organizations. Cyberattacks are often carried out in response to actions of target governments or entities perceived to be against Russia's interests. Cybersecurity analysts have identified Russian military intelligence as becoming more aggressive and direct in its attacks. Russian hackers reportedly targeted Kyiv institutional networks, including government agencies investigating war crimes in the ongoing conflict. According to Ukrainian authorities, Moscow-sanctioned hackers are collecting information on the ongoing investigations, evidence, and lists of Russian prisoners of war.

On Dec. 12, the Ukrainian telecommunications company Kyivstar was reportedly hit by a cyber attack that caused severe service disruptions throughout the country. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is investigating the incident.

Transport Disruptions
Finnish authorities have closed all border crossing points with Russia until Feb. 11; border closures began on Nov. 30 following an increase in illegal migration via the shared border. Finland continues to accuse Russia of weaponizing migrants in an attempt to destabilize Finland's domestic politics. In early October, the Baltic states and Bulgaria imposed border closures and bans on Russian citizens or vehicles.

Reciprocal flight bans and airspace closures remain between Russia and numerous Western-aligned countries, including EU member states, the UK, Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan. Turkish authorities have suspended flights of Russian-operated Boeing and Airbus aircraft due to international sanctions, significantly reducing air travel between the two countries.

Sanctions and Diplomatic Relations
Multiple governments are maintaining sanctions against Russia, including EU and G7 nations, the UK, Australia, Norway, and New Zealand. EU authorities officially submitted the proposal for a further round of sanctions on Russia on Nov. 15, reportedly targeting up to EUR 5.3 billion in trade. The package adds 120 names to the list of sanctioned Russian citizens, sets a new oil price cap, bans the import of liquid propane gas (LPG) from Russia, and targets the diamond market and dual-use technology. Additional restrictions may be imposed on third countries and non-Russian companies perceived as not doing enough to stop Moscow from evading the bloc's sanctions. US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control reportedly issued sanctions on Turkish and UAE shipping companies Lumber Marine SA and Ice Pearl Navigation Corp. The companies reportedly transported Russian oil sold above the sanction price cap.

In early December 2023, German authorities reportedly closed German diplomatic representations in the Russian cities of Kaliningrad, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg; the remaining active German diplomatic representations in Russia are in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg. The decision is likely in line with the gradual reciprocal decrease of Russian and German diplomatic personnel in both countries due to allegations of espionage.