The Government of Japan announced a new package of sanctions against Russia on September 12th, 2025, targeting 47 Russian companies and nine individuals, as well as entities involved in aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions include freezing assets, banning exports to circumventing organizations, and reducing the price cap on Russian crude oil imports to $47.6 per barrel, according to Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. This comes as air force reports indicate activity of enemy tactical aviation in the eastern direction and drone attacks were reported on two objects within the Russian Federation overnight. The Japanese sanctions aim to prevent Russia from profiting from energy sales to fund its war efforts. Yermak expressed gratitude for Japan's solidarity with Ukraine, stating, "Together we are stronger." Meanwhile, overnight drone attacks reportedly targeted a "Neftebase" in the Smolensk region, approximately 290 km from Ukraine's borders, and the port of "Primorsk" in the Leningrad Region, 940 km from Ukraine's borders, with reports of a fire on one of the vessels. In related developments, President Donald Trump commented on Russia's drone incursion into Poland, suggesting it "could've been a mistake." Separately, the US ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, reportedly did not attend an emergency meeting in Brussels yesterday, sending his deputy instead, according to a source in Europe.
