Canada Imposes New Sanctions on Russia to Curb Missile Capabilities

Canada has imposed additional sanctions on Russia, targeting 38 entities and 24 individuals linked to its defense industry, ballistic missile technology development, cyber activities and financial networks supporting the country’s war economy, Global Affairs Canada announced on Nov. 9.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced the measure on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Paris. The new restrictions were introduced under Canada’s Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.

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The targets include actors involved in developing ballistic missile technology and conducting Russian cyber activities. Canada also targets financial enablers, including cryptocurrency exchanges, that Ottawa says help Russia evade sanctions and finance its war against Ukraine.

“Canada is taking action to undermine [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin’s capacity to strike Ukrainian cities with its missiles,” Anand said in the statement .

She added that Canada would continue imposing costs on Russia until it ends its strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine by weakening the military-industrial and financial networks that support Russia’s military operations.

The announcement did not name the newly sanctioned individuals and entities or specify the restrictions imposed on each. Under Canada’s existing Russia sanctions framework, designated individuals and entities face asset freezes and restrictions on financial dealings. The regulations also prohibit making goods and certain services available to listed parties.

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The latest measures add to broader sanctions Canada imposed on Russia since 2014, following Moscow’s initial invasion of Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea.

According to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada has since joined other countries in imposing sanctions on more than 3,500 Russian individuals and entities, as well as over 700 vessels, over their involvement in violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Canada has also continued to target networks supplying Russia’s military-industrial base and helping it circumvent restrictions on access to foreign technology and financial services.

The new sanctions come as Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine nears its fifth-year mark, relying on missiles, drones, and other weapons to attack Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.

Ukraine’s energy grid has been among Russia’s main targets in recent weeks, with Moscow launching 115 missiles and 3,000 drones during the first week of November, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. On Nov. 3, Ukraine’s grid operator Ukrenergo said Russia launched “ one of the most extensive attacks ” that targeted energy facilities more than 20 times within 24 hours.

Ottawa said it would coordinate with allies and partners to increase pressure on those enabling Russia’s military operations.