Zelensky Sanctions Individuals Linked to Russian Military Production and Propaganda

In a significant escalation of Ukraine’s sanctions strategy, President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed new decrees targeting individuals connected to Russia’s military-industrial complex and propaganda apparatus, according to an announcement made on his Telegram channel.

The Ukrainian leader emphasized the strategic importance of these measures in disrupting Russia’s war machine. “I have also signed new decrees on Ukraine’s sanctions – targeting individuals who work for Russia’s military production and propaganda. And we will continue to block every scheme used to circumvent sanctions,” Zelensky stated.

While the President did not disclose specific names or entities affected by the new restrictions, the move represents Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to coordinate its sanctions policy with international allies, particularly the European Union.

During a Friday briefing, Zelensky revealed plans to fully align Ukraine’s sanctions with the EU’s recently approved 19th sanctions package. “Next month we will complete the synchronization [of sanction packages with our partners], fulfilling all our plans and commitments,” he confirmed.

The announcement follows a high-level security meeting involving Presidential Sanctions Policy Commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) Chief Vasyl Maliuk, and Foreign Intelligence Service Head Oleh Ivashchenko. Following this meeting, Zelensky directed officials to strengthen cooperation with international partners to maximize the impact of coordinated sanctions.

“The cumulative effect of sanctions has the greatest impact, which is why it is crucial that partners adopt measures already implemented by their neighbors within their own jurisdictions,” Zelensky noted. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts within the G7 and across Europe, encouraging non-EU countries like Switzerland, Norway, and the United Kingdom to support EU sanctions, while also maintaining close cooperation with Japan, Canada, and the United States.

The Ukrainian government’s sanctions strategy comes amid a broader international effort to increase economic pressure on Moscow. Recently, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on major Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, urging Russia to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. According to Zelensky, these U.S. sanctions alone could cost Russia approximately $50 billion in annual losses.

On the European front, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on October 23 that the European Union had approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This package reportedly includes measures targeting additional sectors of the Russian economy and closing loopholes in existing sanctions regimes.

Economic analysts suggest that the cumulative effect of Western sanctions is gradually eroding Russia’s ability to sustain its military operations in Ukraine. The targeting of individuals involved in military production could potentially disrupt supply chains critical to Russia’s defense industry, while sanctions against propaganda figures aim to counter Russian information warfare.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Western countries have imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia’s economy, targeting its energy sector, financial institutions, and individuals close to the Kremlin. These measures have contributed to Russia’s increasing budget deficit, which Zelensky has previously estimated could reach at least $100 billion next year due to sanctions.

As Ukraine continues to defend against Russian aggression, the coordination of sanctions policy with Western allies remains a key element of Kyiv’s strategy to weaken Moscow’s war effort and increase pressure for a negotiated end to the conflict.