Ukraine has imposed sanctions against Russian sports propagandists
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree enacting the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to impose sanctions on three individuals and two legal entities that use sports platforms to spread anti-Ukrainian narratives and Russian propaganda.
According to Ukrinform, the relevant decree No. 60/2026 of January 17 was published on the website of the head of state.
As noted on the website of the President of Ukraine, sanctions have been imposed on three individuals and two legal entities, "including a Russian boxer and fighter who publicly supports the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine and approves of the actions of the occupiers. The Russian Paralympic Committee and its president, as well as the Russian Esports Federation and its president. They use sports platforms to spread anti-Ukrainian narratives and Russian propaganda, trying in this way to justify the Russian Federation's armed aggression against Ukraine."
The statement says that “by imposing these sanctions, our country is reminding the world before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics that sport is not outside politics. After all, the individuals subject to sanctions openly support aggression, war crimes, and occupation, thereby destroying the principles and values of the Olympic movement.”
The president also announced that further sanctions would be imposed soon.
"I have agreed on the next steps for sanctions – a decision will be made soon. Pressure on Russia must be maintained, and we will continue to work on synchronizing sanctions, not only the decisions of partners in our jurisdiction, but also Ukrainian sanctions decisions on the lists of partners. Already, a significant part of the personal sanctions of partners, as well as the lists against legal entities, are proposals from Ukraine," the head of state noted.
According to the decree, personal special economic and other restrictive measures include, in particular, deprivation of Ukrainian state awards and other forms of recognition, asset freezing, restrictions on trade operations (complete cessation), prevention of capital withdrawal from Ukraine, suspension of economic and financial obligations, termination or suspension of licenses and other permits, the receipt (availability) of which is a condition for carrying out a certain type of activity.
Control over the implementation of the NSDC decision is entrusted to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
The decree comes into force on the day of its publication.
As reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted the NSDC decision on sanctions against 95 individuals and 70 legal entities.
Photo: OP