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Ukrainian Intelligence Agency Targets Russian Public Figures for Supporting War Efforts
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, working alongside the Center for Countering Disinformation, has released information on five high-profile Russian public figures accused of actively supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. The data was published in the “Kremlin Mouthpieces” section of an information platform dedicated to analyzing Russian propaganda networks.
“Russian singers, poets, and showmen – all of them are united by a purposeful effort to support the Putin regime and Russian troops in Ukraine, to legitimize the occupation of Ukrainian territories, and to justify the aggression,” stated the Main Intelligence Directorate in their release.
Among those named is Ilya Rakhmiyelyovich Reznik (also known as Ilya Leopoldovich Izraelson), a Soviet and Russian poet who holds the title of People’s Artist of Russia. Reznik gained particular notoriety for authoring the lyrics to what has been termed the “new Crimean anthem” following Russia’s annexation of the peninsula in 2014.
Another prominent figure on the list is Leonid Arkadyevich Yakubovich, a well-known Soviet and Russian television presenter who also holds the People’s Artist of Russia title. According to the intelligence report, Yakubovich, a member of the ruling United Russia party, has been using his television platform to demonstrate support for Russian military operations in Ukraine.
The intelligence agencies also highlighted Andriy Borisovych Rozhkov, a Russian screenwriter and television presenter who serves as director of the creative association “Ural Dumplings.” The report notes that Rozhkov is a member of the “Putin Team” movement and acted as a trusted representative of Putin during the 2018 presidential election. He has reportedly been active in events supporting Russian occupation forces.
The “Kremlin Mouthpieces” database currently contains information on 166 individuals connected to Russian propaganda efforts. These individuals are accused of justifying Russian aggression and war crimes, supporting violence, promoting Kremlin narratives, conducting targeted information operations, and attempting to influence public opinion worldwide.
The intelligence agencies expressed concern that many of these propaganda figures continue to operate freely and even vacation in countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia. Ukrainian authorities are urging Western nations to take more decisive action against what they term Russia’s “war propaganda” by implementing personal sanctions, blocking financial activities, instituting travel bans, and terminating any form of cooperation with those who verbally support Russia’s war.
The report comes as the European Union has already imposed restrictive measures against several Russian media personalities amid what Brussels describes as continued hybrid activity by Moscow. The EU sanctions list includes television hosts Dmitry Guberniev, Katerina Andreyeva, Maria Sittel, and Pavel Zarubin.
This initiative represents an expansion of Ukraine’s efforts to combat Russian information warfare, which Kyiv views as a critical component of Moscow’s broader aggression. By targeting cultural figures and media personalities, Ukrainian intelligence is highlighting the role of soft power and celebrity influence in sustaining domestic Russian support for the war.
The identification of these individuals reflects growing international concern about the role of propaganda in supporting military conflicts. As the war continues into its third year, both sides have intensified efforts to control information flows and shape public perception of the conflict, both domestically and internationally.
Ukrainian officials maintain that identifying and sanctioning those who use their public platforms to support the war is an essential component of their broader defense strategy, targeting not just military aggression but the information ecosystem that enables it.
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10 Comments
Interesting to see Ukrainian intelligence targeting these Russian public figures for their propaganda efforts. It’s important to counter disinformation and hold those responsible accountable.
Agreed. Transparency and fact-checking are crucial to combat the spread of propaganda, especially during wartime.
The Ukrainian intelligence agency’s efforts to identify and call out these Russian propaganda figures are commendable. Shining a light on the mechanisms of disinformation is an important step in combating its spread.
Yes, it’s a valuable contribution to the broader effort to provide accurate and reliable information about the situation in Ukraine.
This highlights how the war in Ukraine has become a battle not just on the ground, but also in the realm of information and narratives. Identifying and exposing these propaganda figures is a necessary step.
You’re right. The war is being fought on multiple fronts, and the propaganda aspect is just as important as the military one.
The list of Russian public figures supporting the war effort is quite telling. It’s not just politicians and military leaders, but also cultural figures being used to legitimize the invasion.
That’s a good point. Leveraging influential public personalities is a common tactic in propaganda campaigns to sway public opinion.
It’s concerning to see the extent to which the Russian government is employing a wide range of tactics, including the use of cultural icons, to justify its actions in Ukraine. This underscores the need for vigilance against disinformation.
Absolutely. Monitoring and exposing these propaganda networks is crucial to maintaining a clear and factual understanding of the conflict.