Sanctions Status

Records

Roman Abramovich

Russian-born businessman, former owner of Chelsea Football Club (2003-2022) and former governor of Russia's Chukotka region, with shareholdings in Evraz and Norilsk Nickel.

ListedLatest source dated 2026-09-22Last reviewed 2026-10-26

Is Roman Abramovich sanctioned?

United Kingdom

Listed
Authority
HM Treasury OFSI / FCDO
Instrument
Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019; UK Sanctions List ref RUS0270, Group ID 14212
Listed
2022-03-10
Scope
Asset freeze, prohibition on UK persons dealing with him, travel ban, transport sanctions (aircraft)
Notes
The UK government stated that he has stakes in Evraz and Norilsk Nickel; its designation notice describes him as a prominent Russian businessman and pro-Kremlin oligarch. Government licences allowed Chelsea to keep operating and permitted its sale (May 2022). A licence announced on 17 December 2025 permits transfer of the sale proceeds to a Ukraine humanitarian foundation; the proceeds remain frozen.
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

European Union

Listed
Authority
Council of the European Union
Instrument
Decision 2014/145/CFSP and Regulation (EU) No 269/2014; listed by Decision (CFSP) 2022/429 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/427 of 15 March 2022
Listed
2022-03-15
Scope
Asset freeze; prohibition on making funds available; entry and transit ban
Notes
The General Court dismissed his actions in T-313/22 (20 Dec 2023), T-1105/23 (10 Sep 2025) and T-358/25 (9 Sep 2026); an appeal against T-313/22 to the Court of Justice was reported in April 2024 (outcome not found). The measures were renewed to 15 September 2026 by Decision (CFSP) 2026/696 (14 Mar 2026) and extended to 22 September 2026 by Decision (CFSP) 2026/2103. Decision (CFSP) 2026/2161 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2160 of 22 September 2026 extended the measures until 22 September 2029 and deleted six persons and one entity; he was not among them.
[6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]

Canada

Listed
Authority
Global Affairs Canada
Instrument
Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations
Listed
2022-03-11
Scope
Asset freeze; prohibition on dealings in Canada
Notes
On 15 December 2022 Canada made an order (SOR/2022-279) restraining US$26,073,990.35 held in an account of Manticore Fund (Cayman) Ltd, with Abramovich identified as ultimate beneficial owner; Global Affairs Canada said it would seek forfeiture of US$26m from Granite Capital Holdings Ltd, which it said he owns. Outcome of the forfeiture process not found. No delisting found.
[16, 17, 18, 19]

Australia

Listed
Authority
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade / Minister for Foreign Affairs
Instrument
Autonomous sanctions (Russia) – announced in ministerial release
Listed
2022-03-14
Scope
Targeted sanctions (specific measures not detailed in release)
Notes
Listing date confirmed from the ministerial release of 14 March 2022 naming him. Current status not checked against the official DFAT consolidated list (not accessible); no delisting found.
[20]

Switzerland

Listed
Authority
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Instrument
Ordinance on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine (list mirroring EU)
Listed
2022-03-16
Scope
Asset freeze and reporting obligation; travel restrictions
Notes
Added on 16 March 2022 when Switzerland adopted EU listings of 197 individuals and 9 entities. Current status not checked against the official SECO list (not accessible); no delisting found.
[21, 22]

New Zealand

Listed
Authority
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Instrument
Russia Sanctions Act 2022 (second round)
Listed
2022-04-04
Scope
Travel ban; prohibition on moving assets into New Zealand or using its financial system to evade sanctions
Notes
Announced 4 April 2022, effective midnight that night. Current status not checked against the official MFAT list (not accessible); no delisting found.
[23]

Sources

  1. Abramovich and Deripaska among seven oligarchs targeted in estimated £15bn sanction hitGOV.UK (FCDO), 2022-03-10, primary source
  2. Financial Sanctions Notice – Russia – 10 March 2022Government of Jersey (Jersey Gazette, reproducing UK notice), 2022-03-10, primary source
  3. UK government approves sale of Chelsea by sanctioned AbramovichAl Jazeera, 2022-05-25, secondary source
  4. Keir Starmer warns Roman Abramovich over Chelsea sale fundsESPN, 2025-12-17, secondary source
  5. Government prepares to sue Roman Abramovich after he missed deadline to release £2.5bn from Chelsea saleSky News (via Yahoo Finance UK), 2026-03-17, secondary source
  6. Press release: Judgment in Case T-313/22 Abramovich v CouncilGeneral Court of the EU (CURIA), 2023-12-20, primary source
  7. Press release No 124/26: Judgment in Case T-358/25 Abramovich v CouncilGeneral Court of the EU (CURIA), 2026-09-09, primary source
  8. Judgment of the General Court, Case T-313/22, Abramovich v Council (text)Official Journal copy via inforlex.pl, 2023-12-20, primary source
  9. Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/696 of 14 March 2026 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSPEUR-Lex (Official Journal of the EU), 2026-03-14, primary source
  10. Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2103 of 15 September 2026 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSPEUR-Lex (Official Journal of the EU), 2026-09-15, primary source
  11. Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2161 of 22 September 2026 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSPEUR-Lex (Official Journal of the EU), 2026-09-22, primary source
  12. Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2160 of 22 September 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014EUR-Lex (Official Journal of the EU), 2026-09-22, primary source
  13. Decision 2014/145/CFSP – consolidated text as of 17 July 2026EUR-Lex, 2026-07-17, primary source
  14. Abramovich re-appeals Ukraine-linked EU sanctionsEuronews, 2024-04-08, secondary source
  15. EU officially extends sanctions against Russia — at cost of delisting 2 oligarchs in Putin's inner circleThe Kyiv Independent, 2026-09-22, secondary source
  16. Canada slaps sanctions on Roman Abramovich, other Russian oligarchsThe Times of Israel (AFP), 2022-03-11, secondary source
  17. Canada sanctions Russian oligarch Abramovich as Trudeau departs EuropeGlobal News, 2022-03-11, secondary source
  18. Order Respecting the Restraint of Property Situated in Canada (Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich): SOR/2022-279Canada Gazette, Part II, 2023-01-04, primary source
  19. Canada starts first process to seize and pursue the forfeiture of assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchGlobal Affairs Canada, 2022-12-19, primary source
  20. Australia joins the UK and US in sanctioning key Russian oligarchsAustralian Minister for Foreign Affairs, 2022-03-14, primary source
  21. Swiss extend blacklist over Russia's invasion of UkraineSWI swissinfo.ch, 2022-03-16, secondary source
  22. Switzerland broadens sanctions lists over Russian operation in Ukraine, adds 197 individuals, 9 entitiesInterfax, 2022-03-16, secondary source
  23. Russia-Ukraine war: New Zealand adds Chelsea FC owner to sanctions listNewstalk ZB / NZ Herald, 2022-04-04, secondary source

Change history

  • 2026-10-26 Record published.

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