The Humanitarian Impact of Economic Sanctions on Civilians: A Case Study of Post-2022 Sanctions on Russia

Chimezie Chukwuemeka Eze Tommy Enodienetuk Enodien; PhD; James Yesonna Wikere

doi:10.56201/jhsp.vol.12.no1.2026.p82.92

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The Humanitarian Impact of Economic Sanctions on Civilians: A Case Study of Post-2022 Sanctions on Russia

Chimezie Chukwuemeka Eze Tommy Enodienetuk Enodien, PhD and, James Yesonna Wikere

Abstract

The study investigated the humanitarian impact of economic sanctions on civilians with emphasis on post-2022 sanctions on Russia. Economic sanctions are designed to shape the actions of states and their leaders without resorting to armed conflict. However, developments following the sanctions imposed on Russia after the 2022 Ukraine war indicate that such measures can generate serious unintended humanitarian effects on civilian populations. Although the sanctions are aimed at major sectors such as finance, energy, trade, and international economic engagement, political elites often shield themselves through control of state resources and access to alternative economic channels. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens experience the harsher consequences, including rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, job losses, and growing strain on healthcare and social services. The study aimed to critically examine the impact of economic sanctions on civilians in Russia. The study adopted the Liberalism Theory developed by Immanuel Kant in the 18th century and further developed by Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye in 1977. The study utilised secondary sources of data; data were drawn from articles, books, government reports, publications of international organisations, and credible news media, among others. The study concluded that despite the economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the U.S. and the European Union, the country continues its invasion of Ukraine. This situation calls into question the effectiveness of sanctions as a tool for shaping state behaviour or achieving specific objectives in the international system. The post-2022 sanctions, aimed at Russia’s financial system, energy sector, and global market access, have largely failed to persuade the political leadership to alter its actions. Instead, these measures have had severe humanitarian consequences for ordinary civilians, including rising inflation, limited access to essential goods, increased unemployment, and pressure

Keywords

Economic sanctioncivilianhumanitarian needsRussiaEuropean Union

References

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The Humanitarian Impact of Economic Sanctions on Civilians: A Case Study of Post-2022 Sanctions on Russia

Abstract

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