LONDON — In a perplexing turn of events, a significant number of individuals linked to President Vladimir Putin and the Russian military continue to gain access to European Union countries. This situation arises even amid stringent sanctions aimed at isolating Russia due to its military actions in Ukraine, leading to heightened scrutiny and criticism from various political figures and anti-war advocates. These critics are calling for a reassessment of sanctions to ensure they achieve their intended goal of restricting access to individuals closely tied to the Kremlin.

Prominent critics include leaders from Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, who are actively campaigning for a more robust response by highlighting specific cases that seem to contradict the primary objectives of Western sanctions. Such sanctions were implemented to deny travel visas and to confiscate luxury assets like yachts, real estate, and other properties belonging to those with ties to the Russian regime. The inconsistency in enforcing these sanctions has sparked a debate about their effectiveness and the need for stronger measures.

Among those under scrutiny is Yelena Isinbayeva, a celebrated Olympic gold medalist in pole vaulting, who has maintained close connections with Putin and holds an honorary military rank within the Russian army. She is reportedly residing in a lavish residence valued in the millions within Spain’s picturesque Canary Islands. This situation raises questions about the implications of her status and the perceived leniency in sanctions against high-profile figures in Russia.

The family of Boris Obnosov, the head of the Tactical Missiles Corporation — a company responsible for producing missiles and aerial bombs that have been devastating Ukrainian cities and infrastructure for over a year — continues to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle in Prague. His daughter and son-in-law reside there, owning multiple properties and high-end vehicles, which highlights the gap between the sanctions imposed and the reality faced by those who are supposed to be affected by them.

Maria Kitayeva, a former advisor to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and an honorary major general, has been frequently traveling to Hungary and Italy over the past year for extensive shopping trips. Her close connection to high-ranking officials raises concerns about the effectiveness of current sanctions and the ability of such individuals to circumvent restrictions that were intended to limit their movement and influence.

Recently, 15 members of the European Parliament have called upon the European Commission to take decisive action against Obnosov’s relatives, urging the imposition of sanctions on them. His daughter Olga and son-in-law Rostislav Zorikov have settled in the Czech capital since 2020, where they reportedly own real estate valued at over $8 million. This situation illustrates the challenges faced by lawmakers in effectively targeting the families of individuals directly involved in the conflict.

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In a report by Spain’s El Digital Sur, it was revealed that Isinbayeva, an outspoken supporter of Putin, has relocated with her family to Tenerife. They are reportedly enjoying life in luxury villas, having purchased two villas and a penthouse worth approximately $3.2 million. This acquisition allowed her to secure a Spanish residency permit, just two weeks following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, raising significant questions about the timing and implications of such actions amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

As President Putin intensifies his anti-Western rhetoric, framing the invasion as a critical struggle for Russia’s survival against Western powers, figures like Isinbayeva seem to disregard this narrative. They continue to frequent their luxurious properties in Europe and embark on shopping excursions to major European cities, which not only raises eyebrows but also poses ethical questions regarding their allegiance to the Kremlin and their lifestyle choices in contrast to the ongoing conflict.

In light of the backlash surrounding her move to Europe, Isinbayeva has defended her actions by focusing on her accomplishments as an athlete rather than her associations with the Russian government. She described the criticism as “fake” and emphasized her right to live freely, highlighting the disconnect between public perception and her personal narrative.

In a recent post on her VKontakte page, Isinbayeva stated: “I live where I work, eat what I love, communicate with those whom I value and respect. … Remember: Envy is a destructive feeling. … I am a person of the world; I have always been and will remain so!” This statement underlines the complex interplay between personal identity and political affiliation, particularly for individuals in the spotlight during contentious times.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Western nations, particularly the United States and the European Union, have imposed a series of extensive sanctions targeting high-ranking Russian officials, military leaders, and influential business executives affiliated with Putin. In several instances, these sanctions have also extended to their family members, aiming to disrupt the networks that support the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine.

There is an ongoing debate among some Russians regarding the ethics of punishing individual citizens, even the wealthiest, for the decisions made by Putin to engage in warfare. While some advocate for accountability for all those whose affluence and success can be traced back to the Kremlin, others argue that it is unjust to penalize individuals for the actions of their government.

In 2020, Isinbayeva was involved in a working group that proposed constitutional amendments enabling Putin to potentially retain power until 2036. Despite her significant role, she has not been subjected to any sanctions, which raises questions about the criteria used to enforce these measures and the perceived inequities in their application.

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Kitayeva has found herself under sanctions imposed by Canada and Ukraine due to her support for the war and her role as a propagandist for the Russian government, yet the European Union has refrained from taking similar actions against her. This discrepancy highlights the varying approaches taken by different nations regarding accountability for those associated with the ongoing conflict.

Timur Ivanov, the Deputy Defense Minister of Russia, who is currently under sanctions from the EU and the U.S., oversees the reconstruction of the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol. His role in this critical endeavor raises further concerns about the effectiveness of sanctions and whether they are adequately hindering individuals who play pivotal roles in the ongoing conflict.

The Anti-Corruption Foundation has also uncovered that Ivanov’s ex-wife, Svetlana Maniovich, traveled to Europe last year, including luxury shopping trips in Paris. This revelation underscores the ongoing challenges in enforcing sanctions and the ability of those close to high-ranking officials to navigate around restrictions designed to limit their lifestyle.

In a similar vein, sanctions have not been applied to the brother, daughter, and other relatives of Mkrtich Okroyan, the chief designer for Soyuz, a company responsible for manufacturing engines used in missiles targeting Ukraine. Okroyan’s family members are known to own luxurious properties in Britain, prompting the Anti-Corruption Foundation to advocate for their inclusion on EU and U.S. sanctions lists.

Representatives for Okroyan, Kitayeva, and the Russian Defense Ministry have yet to respond to requests for comments regarding their circumstances, further complicating the narrative around accountability and the enforcement of sanctions against individuals linked to the Russian military and government.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled Russian businessman and outspoken critic of Putin based in London, expressed concern that a year and a half after the invasion began, the sanctions policy remains “unsystematic” and “substandard.” He emphasizes the need for a strategic approach that effectively addresses the complex realities faced by the Russian elite while ensuring justice for those affected by the conflict.

Khodorkovsky highlighted the struggles of the anti-war opposition in Russia, which faces persecution and difficulties in seeking refuge in the West. He pointed out the stark contrast between the lives of Putin’s elite, who enjoy privileges and access to European residence permits, and the hardships faced by ordinary Russians who oppose the government and its military actions.

“Enough time has passed to develop a policy that would exclude these risks but would not discriminate against all citizens of Russia,” Khodorkovsky added, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach in implementing sanctions that differentiate between the elite and ordinary citizens.

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Georgy Alburov, an investigator with the Anti-Corruption Foundation, noted that following the invasion, many in the Russian elite have had to confront the reality that they have built entire lives in the West. The sanctions threaten to sever their ties to a lifestyle “away from life under Vladimir Putin,” emphasizing the profound impact of geopolitical tensions on personal lives.

Numerous elites, including government officials, have sent their children abroad for education and maintained offshore bank accounts and holiday homes, all situated in countries now labeled enemies by Putin. This discrepancy showcases the divide between the privileged elite and the ordinary citizens who are bearing the brunt of the conflict.

Alburov argued that Western sanctions need to be restructured to better reflect the realities of Russian society. He emphasized the importance of targeting those who are truly benefiting from the war rather than indiscriminately punishing all Russian citizens, many of whom have no ties to the Kremlin.

Russian officials often evade accountability by not registering properties under their own names; instead, they use the names of family members or lawyers. Consequently, their children often continue to reside in the West, where they can access and utilize their properties and spend their wealth freely.

“Sanctions should be extended automatically to immediate family members, including spouses, children, and lawyers, under whose names all the properties are registered,” Alburov asserted, highlighting the need for comprehensive measures to ensure that sanctions effectively target those who support and benefit from the regime.

Both Khodorkovsky and Alburov emphasized the distinction between wealthy Russian elites and ordinary citizens, some of whom have previously protested against the government or the war. Currently, these ordinary Russians face significant challenges in obtaining visas, finding employment, accessing financial services, or acquiring the software necessary for their businesses.

“The problem is that this only concerns people who don’t have money,” Alburov stated. “If you are a rich official or some kind of crook or thief, it is very easy. You can just get on a private plane and fly away. You can buy citizenship, you can buy a residence permit, or foreign property, which will give you a visa.” This comment underscores the disparities in how sanctions impact different segments of society.

He concluded with a sentiment that resonates with many fighting against corruption in Russia: “This is a big disappointment for all people who fight corruption in Russia.”

Natalia Abbakumova in Riga, Latvia, contributed to this report.