The 16th package of Ukraine-related sanctions also targets an actor, a chess grandmaster, a TV presenter and an Olympic gymnast

Russian comedian Mikhail Galustyan was added to the EU sanctions list on Monday. The bloc's 16th round of Russia sanctions is timed to mark the third anniversary of the escalation of Russia's military operation in Ukraine.

The updatedblacklisthas added 48 individuals and 35 entities seen by Brussels as responsible for "undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."

A 46-year old producer and TV presenter, Galustyan has starred in dozens of comedies and TV shows and also campaigned for Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 2012 and 2018 elections.

Brussels has accused Galustyan for the "militarization of Russian youth," citing the actor's role as head of the Federation of Military and Tactical Games and membership of the "Yunarmiya" patriotic military movement.

The EU blacklist also includes other well-known Russians, such as TV presenter Julia Baranovskaya, blogger and a media manager Kristina Potupchik, chess grandmaster Sergey Karjakin, and Olympic champion gymnast Nikita Nagorny.

Other sanctioned individuals include senator from the Astrakhan region, Andrey Derkach, CEO of state-run arm producer Almaz-Antey, Yan Novikov, shareholder of the Ural Mining, Igor Kudryashkin, CEO of the machinery-building holding 'Stan' Boris Bogatyrev.

The latest sanctions include a "phased-in" ban on EU nations importing primary aluminum from Russia. They also target 13 more banks and 73 more vessels involved in shipping Russian crude oil and revoke the broadcasting licenses of eight Russian media outlets.

Last month, EU members extended the existing sanctions on Russia for another six months. The restrictions already target a wide range of sectors and include trade embargoes, travel bans, and individual sanctions against Russian businessmen and public figures.

Moscow has denounced Western restrictions as illegal and that they have failed to destabilize the Russian economy or isolate it from the global financial system.

Commenting on the news, Galustyan told RIA Novosti that EU blacklisting came as a complete surprise to him. "Apparently, European politicians have run out of arguments if they have started persecuting and sanctioning actors and cultural figures, comedians, and satirists who bring joy and smiles to people," he said.

(RT.com)