Ten Added to Canada’s Ukraine Sanctions List

Summary#

On May 31, 2024, the federal government published final changes to the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations that add 10 people to Canada’s Ukraine sanctions list. The new listings target people connected to former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych and impose a broad ban on dealings with them by Canadians.

What it does#

• Adds these 10 named people to the Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations list:
  • Mykola Yanovych AZAROV (born December 17, 1947)
  • Oleksii Mykolayovych AZAROV (born July 13, 1971)
  • Raisa Vasylivna BOHATYRIOVA (born January 6, 1953)
  • Andrii Petrovych KLIUIEV (born August 12, 1964)
  • Serhiy Vitaliyovych KURCHENKO (born September 21, 1985)
  • Viktor Pavlovych PSHONKA (born February 6, 1954)
  • Artem Viktorovych PSHONKA (born March 19, 1976)
  • Dmytro Volodymyrovych TABACHNYK (born November 26, 1963)
  • Oleksandr Hryhorovych YAKYMENKO (born December 22, 1964)
  • Vitalii Yuriyovych ZAKHARCHENKO (born January 20, 1963)
• The listings impose a broad dealings ban (an effective asset freeze). That means people and businesses in Canada, and Canadians abroad, are prohibited from dealing with the listed persons’ property or providing them services without permission.
• The regulations took effect on the day they were registered (effective May 31, 2024) and apply before their Canada Gazette publication.
• As a consequence of being listed, the named individuals are made inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Who's affected#

• The main people affected are the 10 individuals named above and any assets, businesses, or accounts they hold that touch Canada.
• Canadian banks and financial institutions and other businesses must screen for and block dealings with these listed people under existing sanctions rules.
• Global Affairs Canada and enforcement agencies will handle listing, monitoring, and compliance.
• For most Canadians, everyday life will not change; the rules mainly affect those who might do business with the listed people or their firms.
• It is not clear from the notice whether these individuals have significant assets or business ties in Canada.

Why it matters#

• These are targeted sanctions. They aim to increase pressure on people tied to the Yanukovych-era administration whom the government says helped enable Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.
• Practically, any money, property, or services connected to the listed people that are in Canada can be frozen or blocked.
• There are criminal penalties for knowingly breaking the rules: a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to one year on summary conviction, or imprisonment for up to five years on indictment.
• The move aligns Canada with international partners that have been imposing similar sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.