The policy of applying sanctions to a particular country is most often used in order to reduce the development opportunities of this country and oust it from the world economic space. The authors give a brief description of international sanctions applied to a number of countries (including the Russian Federation) in recent years. The analysis of the orientation of sanctions on a number of enlarged sectors of the economy is carried out, the groupings of sanctions according to the methods of their impact are justified. In particular, the study highlights sanctions aimed at human capital as having the most significant and prolonged impact on the economies of countries subjected to sanctions persecution. The most characteristic measures of sanctions pressure, allowing to limit the opportunities for economic growth and development, are identified on the example of a number of countries. The national and international experience of overcoming sanctions is analyzed. The analysis made it possible to identify typical groups of anti-sanctions (protective) measures introduced in response to unfriendly actions both for the national economy of the Russian Federation and for a number of other countries. The consequences of sanctions pressure on the economy of different countries are highlighted. Conclusions are drawn about the need to search for alternative methods of countering sanctions that allow minimizing the damage to the national economy from their application.