The EU on Saturday announced additional sanctions against Russia's Wagner mercenary organisation for "human rights abuses" in the Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan and Ukraine.

A total of 11 individuals and seven entities tied to the paramilitary group were added to the bloc's list for asset freezes and a travel ban.

The Wagner Group itself -- which is fighting in Russia's war in Ukraine -- was already sanctioned by the European Union in 2021.

The latest additional sanctions were decided "in view of the international dimension and gravity of the group's activities, as well as its destabilising impact on the countries where it is active", said a statement from the European Council.

"The Wagner Group's activities are a threat for the people in the countries where they operate and the European Union," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

The European Council said eight of the individuals and the seven entities listed came under the EU's Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime for Wagner's activities in the Central African Republic and Sudan.

One Wagner individual came under an EU sanctions regime applied specifically to Mali.

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