The European Union placed more people on a restrictive list, accusing them of "undermining or threatening" Ukraine's independence.

According to Reuters, The Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC) placed 28 people and organizations on the new list published Monday morning.

The list included Russia's First Deputy Minister of Defense, Arkady Bakhin, Deputy Minister of Defense Anatoly Antonov and Andrei Kartapolov, the deputy chief of the general staff of the Russian armed forces. The sanctions are to come into effect immediately.

Also on the list is Russian singer Iosif, or Joseph Kobzon. The 77-year-old singer is also referred to as Russia's Frank Sinatra. Kobzon voiced support for Russia's annexation of Crimea.

The singer had visited the Donetsk People's Republic and made statements supporting the separatists. He held a free concert in the eastern Ukraine area in support of the election of the leader of the rebel area in November. He opened the concert with, "We are strong and people fear us. Let them be afraid." Kobzon is also a long-time member of parliament.

Maria Zakharova, deputy director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's press department, said on Facebook that Kobzon was being "punished for his sincere and heartfelt rendition of our beloved 'Victory Day' song."

The bans impose asset freezes and travel bans. The blacklisted Russians and Ukrainians join an already sizable list of people under EU sanctions. The sanctions have affected Russia's defense, energy and finance sectors. The country is expected to fall into recession in the coming year.

The new penalties come days after a cease-fire was announced in Ukraine. Despite these cease fires some rebels have not observed the truce.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow would "adequately" respond to the sanctions. The department said the new sanctions defied common sense and would not provide any solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.