Switzerland removes Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from sanctions list

Switzerland has removed Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from its sanctions list, following a similar decision by the European Union. The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) announced the changes on November 4, 2026, as part of an update to the country's Ukraine ordinance.

In addition to Usmanov and Fridman, the Swiss government delisted Andrey Falaleyev, a former rector of the Federal University of Crimea, and the company Redbird Corporate Services Ltd. Three other individuals, Yury Shvytkin, Alexander Leonov, and Alireza Tangsiri, were removed from the list due to their deaths.

While Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, it has historically mirrored EU economic restrictions. Usmanov and Fridman, both prominent figures in the metallurgy and technology and Alfa Group sectors respectively, have previously denied having close ties to the Kremlin. The removal of these individuals follows the EU's decision to adjust its sanctions packages.