The European Union has imposed new sanctions on Russia, targeting its 'shadow fleet' of tankers and certain Chinese companies aiding drone production. Ukraine's sanctions advisor, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, welcomed the sanctions but criticized their slow pace, urging for more significant measures. The sanctions are the 15th package since the invasion began in February 2022. Despite sanctions, the Russian economy has shown resilience, growing by 4.4% in Q2 2024, although it faces challenges such as high interest rates and currency depreciation. Vlasiuk warns of an imbalance in the Russian economy, with the military sector thriving while other sectors struggle.