Chinese and Indian oil companies are significantly limiting their direct purchases of Russian oil in the short term, following the introduction of new sanctions by the United States. In parallel, the European Union (EU) approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting mainly the country's energy sector, News.bg reports.
According to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), quoted by “Reuters“ on October 23, China's major state-owned oil corporations - PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC and Zhenhua Oil, have stopped purchases of offshore Russian oil “at least temporarily“. This decision follows the sanctions imposed on October 22 by the US on the Russian state company „Rosneft“ and the private „Lukoil“.
The new EU sanctions package
The EU is introducing a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) - for long-term contracts from January 2027, and for short-term contracts - within six months, until April 23, 2026. The measures also affect tankers linked to Russia's so-called „shadow fleet“, as well as an organization from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) used as a channel to circumvent European restrictions. Sanctions have also been imposed on four Chinese oil refineries.
The package also includes restrictions against Russian financial institutions and companies from the UAE and the PRC, accused of supplying military and dual-use goods to Russia. The EU has also expanded travel bans, introduced new permit requirements for Russian diplomats and sanctioned 11 individuals involved in the illegal deportation and militarized education of Ukrainian children.
The Kremlin's reaction
On October 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the sanctions imposed by his American counterpart Donald Trump constituted a “hostile act against Russia”. He accused Washington of harming Russian-American relations and destabilizing the global energy market.
The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, through his Telegram accounts, added that “The United States is an adversary of Russia“ and that the war in Ukraine is now “Trump's war“. According to him, Washington's latest decisions constitute “an act of war against Russia“.
The military situation in the Kherson region
According to ISW data, there is no evidence that Russian forces have established a bridgehead or launched an offensive on the western coast of the Kherson region. On October 23, a Ukrainian brigade published geolocated footage showing free movement of Ukrainian forces in the Ostryv microdistrict of the city of Kherson (on Karantini Island, north of the fifth microdistrict Selishte).
Analysts indicate that Russia is likely conducting cognitive warfare, aiming to present limited sabotage and reconnaissance operations as the beginning of a large-scale offensive to cross the Dnieper River and seize Kherson. The Kremlin's goal is likely to convince the West and Ukraine that a Russian victory is inevitable in order to pressure for territorial concessions and reduce Western support for Kiev.
ISW emphasizes that this information influence campaign is inconsistent with Moscow's claims that it would make territorial concessions in southern Ukraine.
Exchange of bodies of dead soldiers
On October 23, Ukraine and Russia carried out another exchange of bodies of dead servicemen. The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that Russia had handed over 1,000 bodies, which it claims are those of Ukrainian fighters. The Ukrainian project “I Want to Find“ reported that Ukraine had handed over the bodies of 31 killed Russian servicemen.