Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Mélanie Joly announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions on ten individuals and 153 entities associated with Russia, the press service of the Canadian Government has said.

"Today, we're sending a clear message to Russian officials and the organizations they run: We stand by the people of Ukraine as they are bravely defending their rights in the face of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's unjustifiable and aggressive actions. We will continue to use disruptive measures against the Russian government, targeting its ability to wage its illegal war until Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are fully restored," she said.

These sanctions target individuals and entities who support the Russian military through finance, logistics and sanctions evasion. The individuals listed include an aide to President Putin as well as senior officials of private and state-owned companies registered in Russia and Cyprus.

"These individuals and the firms they lead represent nodes of direct and indirect support to the Russian government's war of aggression against Ukraine. Most of the sanctioned entities are part of the Russian military-industrial complex, providing research and development, production, repairs, and other goods and services to Russia's Ministry of Defense," the press service said.

Canada is also announcing a prohibition on the export to Russia of designated goods that could be used to make weapons and serve its war against Ukraine. The prohibition applies to explosives, including detonators, that are used in the mining and construction industry. The export ban also includes an additional 20 controlled items that are known to be used by Russia to produce and manufacture weapons.

Canada is increasing pressure on Putin and the Russian government by strengthening its sanctions regime. Canada’s sanctions can now target anyone outside Canada, who is not Canadian, who violates Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This includes those who help Russia and its proxies to avoid or get around sanctions.

"Canada continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms the Russian government’s unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, which has needlessly jeopardized stability in the entire region and put countless lives at risk, and calls on President Putin to immediately withdraw his military and proxy forces from Ukrainian territory," the government said.