- The sanctions are coordinated by one of the working groups created by the National Security agencies.
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| Yacht Valerie, linked to Russian oligarch Sergei Chemezov. / Lurssen Yachts |
Spain has immobilized a total of twelve funds and bank accounts of five Russian oligarchs affected by the sanctions imposed by the invasion of Ukraine, as well as acted on three luxury boats and 23 properties.
This was revealed this Monday in Congress by Óscar López, cabinet director of the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, during an appearance before the Mixed National Security Commission, where he reviewed the consequences that Russia's military aggression against Spain has had on Spain. Ukraine, which has been described as "unjustified and illegal".
Specifically, it has revealed that the sanctions imposed by the European Union have meant in Spain the immobilization of twelve funds and bank accounts linked to five of those sanctioned by the community institutions. Three luxury boats belonging to Russian oligarchs have also been seized and action has been taken on 23 properties owned by those affected and located in Spain.
The sanctions are coordinated by one of the working groups created within the National Security agencies due to the war in Ukraine. The second of them is in charge of coordinating the reception of refugees arriving in Spain, which now number more than 130,000, according to López. Of these, 5,400 children are already enrolled in school in Spain.
Spain, a target of cyberattacks
The third of the working groups are in charge of cybersecurity, since, as it has been recognized, Spain is a "potential target" of cyberattacks by Russia as a member of the European Union and NATO. In addition, Óscar López has highlighted the importance of misinformation in this conflict.
The coordination cell created within the National Security Council on the occasion of the invasion of Ukraine is responsible for coordinating all actions in this regard and preparing a daily report that is sent to the President of the Government.
The director of Pedro Sánchez's cabinet has recalled that the consequences of the Russian offensive affect multiple areas, economic, energy security or migration, in addition to the military, where he has pointed out the deployments that Spain maintains on the eastern flank of the Alliance within its deterrence and defense policy.
Óscar López has made this analysis before presenting the new National Security Strategy, whose approval was brought forward a year as a result of international changes, the increase in hybrid threats, and the impact of Covid-19.
In addition, it has presented the annual National Security report for the year 2021, which was approved on March 4 and in which all the ministerial departments and the National Intelligence Center (CNI) participate.
This document, which has been published in 2013, analyzes the main threats to Spain over the last twelve months and serves as a reference for future reviews of the strategy. In 2021, the pandemic was once again the "most relevant factor" for Spain, although other factors such as the evacuation from Afghanistan or meteorological phenomena such as the La Palma volcano also stand out.
In addition, the Moncloa senior official has reviewed other phenomena such as migration, the fight against terrorism, and, specifically, jihadism, organized crime, and the nuclear threat.
Regarding cybersecurity, he explained that the "challenges" in this area have "multiplied" in recent years. In 2021, the total number of cyber incidents decreased (13,000 in 2020 compared to 10,831 in 2021), although those considered critical increased "significantly". The most affected sectors were administration, finance and taxation, and transportation.