EU sanctions two russian commanders for violence against Ukrainian women

The European Union has updated its sanctions list. It includes nine people, including two russian military commanders and three organizations the EU considers responsible for sexual violence and violations of women's rights.

The list will be published on the eve of International Women's Day on March 8, Reuters reports. 

This is the first time when the European Union introduces sanctions aimed at those involved in sexual violence, the agency notes.

According to Reuters, two russian military commanders, nikolai kuznetsov and ramil ibatullin, were included in the sanctions list. They took part in russia's war against Ukraine.

kuznetsov participated in russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, and members of his unit systematically committed acts of sexual violence and rape in Ukraine between March and April 2022, according to the document provided to the agency.

ibatullin led a division whose members "committed acts of sexual and gender-based violence against the civilian population of Ukraine."

The sanctions also target two policemen in moscow, two Taliban officials, and others in Myanmar and South Sudan. The list mentions Iran's Gharchak women's prison.

The 27-nation EU did not immediately name those blacklisted, but their identities will be published in the bloc's official journal later in the day, on the eve of International Women's Day.

The measures include a freeze on any assets that the targeted individuals and organizations hold in the EU and a ban on travel into the bloc. Companies in the EU are also forbidden from providing services to those under sanctions.