Ukraine imposes sanctions against propagandists for speaking in Crimea

Ukraine has imposed sanctions on five representatives of the Russian cultural sphere who, according to the authorities, spread propaganda and justify the war under the guise of international art events. Among those sanctioned are figures associated with performances and propaganda in the occupied Crimea.

The corresponding decree No. 305/2026 was signed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

By this decree, he put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to impose sanctions on five representatives of the cultural sphere of the Russian Federation. These are individuals who, according to the Ukrainian authorities, justify aggression and promote Russian propaganda during international events, including the Venice Biennale.

The sanctions list includes, among others, Anastasia Karneyeva, the daughter of the deputy director general of Rostec, who has been a commissioner of the Russian pavilion at the Biennale since 2021 and is to represent Russia this year.

Restrictions have also been imposed on Mikhail Shvydky, the special representative of the Russian leadership for international cultural cooperation. As noted, he publicly called the war against Ukraine an important historical stage and argued that Russia's participation in the Biennale allegedly demonstrates the absence of cultural isolation of the country.

The list also includes participants of this year's biennale from Russia: violinist Valeria Oliynyk, who visited the occupied Crimea after 2014, singer Ilya Tatakov, who was involved in creating propaganda content in the occupied territories of Donetsk region, and vocalist Artem Nikolayev, who participated in propaganda events in Crimea.

Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk emphasized that Russia's participation in international cultural events is not seen as artistic activity, but as a tool to legitimize aggression and spread propaganda. According to him, access to the cultural space of the democratic world is possible only for those who do not support the Kremlin's policy, while others face sanctions.

Ukraine also provides partners with the necessary materials to coordinate sanctions decisions in their jurisdictions.

The EU has also imposed sanctions on six Russian public figures for propagandizing and supporting the war against Ukraine. Among them is a ballet dancer from Kherson, Serhiy Polunin, who financed the Russian army and performed in Kremlin propaganda shows.

Анна Бальчінос