The European Union has targeted six Russian media personalities and cultural figures with sanctions for spreading disinformation and supporting Moscow’s propaganda efforts related to the war in Ukraine.
The Council of the European Union has imposed sanctions on six Russian media and cultural figures for their role in what Brussels describes as Russia’s ongoing hybrid campaign against the EU and its partners. The decision, adopted on 29 January, targets individuals accused of foreign information manipulation and interference, commonly referred to as FIMI, linked to Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
According to the Council, the newly listed individuals have used their public platforms to spread disinformation, promote pro-Kremlin narratives, and actively support Russia’s destabilizing activities, both inside the country and beyond its borders.
Media figures accused of spreading war propaganda
Those sanctioned include prominent television presenters Dmitry Guberniev, Ekaterina Andreeva, and Maria Sittel, along with Kremlin-linked journalist Pavel Zarubin. All four have worked for, or closely cooperated with, Russian state-controlled broadcasters.
In its justification, the Council stated that these figures “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.”
Dmitry Guberniev, a well-known sports commentator and TV host, was singled out for using his popularity to justify Russia’s aggression. The EU noted that he supported the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and hosted multiple concerts and rallies backing the war effort, including a major event at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium in March 2022.
Ekaterina Andreeva, the long-time face of Channel One’s flagship Vremya news program, was accused of “regularly spreading disinformation and propaganda about the war of aggression against Ukraine.” The Council highlighted her repeated praise of the Russian armed forces and her role in high-profile state broadcasts involving President Vladimir Putin, including presidential inaugurations and the annual “Direct Line” events.
Maria Sittel, a leading anchor on Rossiya’s Vesti program, was sanctioned for hosting propaganda rallies from 2022 through 2025 and for her role as a lecturer at the Ostankino Media Institute. According to the EU, she “regularly praises Putin’s regime and spreads disinformation and propaganda about the war of aggression against Ukraine,” while also receiving significant payments for her appearances at pro-war events.
Pavel Zarubin, described as a prominent propagandist with exceptional access to the Kremlin, hosts the program Moscow. Kremlin. Putin. The Council said he “often spreads anti-Ukrainian disinformation,” including portraying Ukraine’s authorities as a “regime,” and plays a central role in glorifying Putin’s leadership. He was also the first journalist allowed to interview Putin after the start of the full-scale invasion.
Cultural figures added to sanctions list
The sanctions also extend beyond journalism. Actor and singer Roman Chumakov and ballet dancer Sergei Polunin were listed for promoting pro-Russian propaganda through their cultural work.
The Council stated that Chumakov “actively supported the Russian army” after the invasion, frequently visiting soldiers at the front line, writing patriotic songs, and raising funds for the armed forces. He has publicly praised Putin, criticized artists who oppose the war, and received two state awards from the Kremlin.
Sergei Polunin, a Ukrainian-born Russian ballet dancer and former rector of the Sevastopol Academy of Choreography, was accused of actively backing Russia’s military, including through financial donations. According to the EU, Polunin promotes the “Russian world” ideology, appears on propaganda television shows, and praises Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, while criticizing artists who left Russia after the invasion.
What the sanctions involve
With this decision, EU restrictive measures linked to Russia’s destabilizing activities now apply to 65 individuals and 17 entities, according to Ukrainska Pravda. Those listed are subject to asset freezes within the EU, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds or economic resources available to them. Individuals also face a travel ban, preventing entry into or transit through EU territory.
The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Broader EU response to hybrid threats
The sanctions form part of a wider EU framework adopted in October 2024 to counter Russia’s destabilizing actions, as reported by The Sofia Globe. That regime targets individuals and entities whose activities undermine the EU’s security, stability, and democratic foundations, including hybrid operations directed at third countries and international organizations.
In May 2024, the EU expanded the framework to allow sanctions against tangible assets linked to destabilizing activities, financial backers of such actions, and the suspension of broadcasting licenses for Russian media outlets involved in disinformation.
EU officials have repeatedly warned that Russia’s hybrid campaigns, including information manipulation, have intensified since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and are likely to continue. The bloc says it will continue to use “the full range of tools available” to deter and respond to what it describes as persistent malicious behavior.
