Australia Targets Russia with New Sanctions on Ukraine Invasion Anniversary

A firefighter inspects the rubble of a damaged residential building following a missile strike in Poltava, Ukraine, on Feb. 1, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty Images

Australia has imposed new travel bans and financial sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, marking three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In a joint statement on Feb. 24, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Defence Minister Richard Marles, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced 149 new sanctions.

“Australia continues to stand with Ukraine,” the statement read.

The new measures impose financial sanctions and travel bans on 70 individuals and 79 entities.

The sanctions specifically target individuals supporting Russia’s illegal administrations in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, including “so-called ministers, judges, and prosecutors.”

They also include individuals responsible for conflict-related sexual violence and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

Australia has now imposed more than 1,400 sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion.

Russia-North Korea Ties Under Scrutiny

The sanctions also focus on those involved in strengthening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the alleged deployment of North Korean troops to the battlefield.

The government described this alliance as a “dangerous expansion of Russia’s war, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security.”

In addition to targeting Russian defence, transport, and finance sectors, Australia has imposed sanctions on individuals and groups spreading disinformation to undermine Ukraine and other governments worldwide.

The government has also tightened trade bans, prohibiting the supply of commercial drones and related components to Russia.

Since the war began, Australia has provided over $1.5 billion (US$953 million) in support to Ukraine, including $1.3 billion in military aid, vital battlefield equipment, and training for Ukrainian forces.

“Once again, Australia calls on Russia to immediately end its war and adhere fully to its obligations under international law, including in relation to the protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners of war. Working with Ukraine and our partners, Australia supports a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” the government statement concluded.

Dutton Pushes for Stronger Support

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also issued a statement reaffirming support for Ukraine.

“Australians look on at the heroic strength of the Ukrainian people. In fighting tyranny, Ukrainians are not only fighting for their freedom—they are on the frontline of the battle of civilisation itself,” he said.

Dutton urged Australia to go beyond words and provide further military equipment, supplies, and aid to Ukraine. He, along with shadow ministers David Coleman and Andrew Hastie, criticised the Albanese government’s response, calling it slow and insufficient.

“We saw the government’s refusal to provide MRH-90 Taipan helicopters. Labor inexplicably left our embassy in Kyiv vacant for almost three years and ignored a request to support the nation’s energy needs,” Dutton added.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022, with missile strikes on multiple cities.

Ukraine last updated its casualty figures in December 2024, when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged 43,000 Ukrainian deaths among soldiers and officers.

As per data analysed by BBC, only 30 percent of Russians have direct exposure to the war through combat or family ties, while nearly 80 percent of Ukrainians know someone killed or wounded.