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EU Expands Sanctions List with Six Russian Figures Over Hybrid Activities
The Council of the European Union has broadened its sanctions regime against Russia by adding six more individuals to its restrictive measures list. The decision comes as part of the bloc’s response to what it describes as Moscow’s “continued hybrid activities” targeting the EU, its member states, and partners.
Among those newly sanctioned are high-profile Russian media personalities Dmitry Guberniev, Ekaterina Andreeva, and Maria Sittel, along with propagandist Pavel Zarubin. These figures have drawn the EU’s attention due to their roles in Russian state media and propaganda events.
“They have been working for or supporting Russian propaganda TV channels or hosting propaganda rallies and shows like ‘Direct Line with Vladimir Putin,’ where they are spreading disinformation about the war in Ukraine and praising Putin’s regime,” the Council stated in its official release.
The sanctions also extend to prominent cultural figures, including actor Roman Chumakov and ballet dancer Sergey Polunin, who is of Ukrainian origin. According to EU officials, these individuals have used their public platforms and artistic influence to promote pro-Russian propaganda, conspiracy theories about the invasion of Ukraine, and anti-Western narratives.
The Council emphasized that all those targeted in this round of sanctions “actively contribute to Russia’s war against Ukraine, for instance through the raising of money for the Russian armed forces.” This fundraising activity directly connects these cultural and media figures to the military dimension of the conflict, justifying their inclusion under the EU’s sanctions framework.
With this expansion, the EU’s restrictive measures related to Russia’s destabilizing activities now encompass 65 individuals and 17 entities. These sanctions typically include asset freezes and travel bans, effectively limiting the designated individuals’ ability to operate within the European Union or access finances held in EU jurisdictions.
This development represents the latest move in the EU’s incremental approach to increasing pressure on Russia and those supporting its war efforts and disinformation campaigns. The targeting of media personalities and cultural figures highlights the bloc’s growing concern about information warfare and the role of soft power in Russia’s overall strategy.
The timing of these new sanctions coincides with other restrictive measures imposed by the Council on the same day. On Thursday, January 29, the EU also implemented new sanctions connected to human rights violations in Iran and Tehran’s military support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, demonstrating a coordinated approach to addressing interlinked security challenges.
Media and propaganda have become increasingly central to the EU’s sanctions strategy, reflecting a recognition that information operations form a critical component of modern hybrid warfare. By targeting those who shape public narratives around the conflict, the EU aims to disrupt Russia’s ability to control information flows both domestically and internationally.
The inclusion of cultural figures like Polunin—who has achieved international acclaim in the ballet world—sends a signal that even those with artistic prestige are not exempt from accountability when they actively support war efforts or spread harmful disinformation.
The EU’s expanding sanctions list comes amid ongoing concerns about Russia’s potential escalation of its war in Ukraine and continued attempts to destabilize European democracies through various hybrid means, including cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, and political interference.
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7 Comments
It’s concerning to see cultural figures like actors and ballet dancers being used as mouthpieces for Russian propaganda. This highlights how the Kremlin will leverage all available channels to spread its narrative.
Absolutely. Even the arts and entertainment industry are not immune from being co-opted for political purposes. This speaks to the pervasiveness of the Kremlin’s information warfare tactics.
The inclusion of cultural figures like Sergey Polunin is particularly interesting. It highlights how the Kremlin will exploit any and all avenues to spread its message, even through the arts and entertainment.
These sanctions seem like a prudent measure to counter Russia’s ongoing disinformation campaign. Limiting the platforms of prominent state media figures is an important step in combating propaganda.
It’s good to see the EU taking a firm stance and expanding its sanctions in response to Russia’s ongoing hybrid threats. Shutting down propaganda outlets and personalities is an important part of the broader effort to counter Kremlin influence.
While I understand the rationale behind these sanctions, I wonder about the long-term effectiveness. Will it truly limit the reach of Russian propaganda, or will it simply drive it to other, less visible channels?
I’m curious to know more about the specific activities and events these individuals were involved in that prompted their addition to the sanctions list. What type of disinformation and propaganda were they promoting?