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Date: 2026-06-15 Category: Not Applicable State: Union Government Country: Europe

Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1351 of 15 June 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities

Issued by Council of the European Union · Not Applicable

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

**Executive Summary** Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1351, adopted on 15 June 2026, amends Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 to expand restrictive measures against Russia for its destabilising activities. The decision adds 10 natural persons and one entity to the existing sanctions list due to their roles in hybrid campaigns, information manipulation, and undermining Ukrainian sovereignty. The measures enter into force on the date of the document's publication in the *Official Journal of the European Union*. **Key Points / Main Content** **Amendments to Restrictive Measures** * **Expansion of Listing:** Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 is amended to include 10 additional natural persons and one legal entity. * **Legal Basis:** The decision is made in accordance with Article 29 of the Treaty on European Union and follows Council conclusions regarding Russia's coordinated hybrid campaigns. **Criteria for Natural Persons** * **Information Manipulation:** Individuals are targeted for managing influencers, disseminating pro-Kremlin propaganda, and flooding the information space with disinformation. * **Undermining Sovereignty:** Several listed individuals are cited for justifying Russia’s war of aggression, denying Ukraine's right to statehood, and supporting the illegal annexation of territories. * **Media and Cultural Influence:** The list includes bloggers, social media influencers, journalists, media executives, and writers affiliated with state-controlled outlets such as RT (Russia Today) and Tsargrad TV. * **Political and Religious Support:** Targeted individuals include a former Presidential Commissioner, a Russian Orthodox Church Bishop, and military bloggers who raise funds for Russian frontline units. **Criteria for Legal Entities** * **Funding Propaganda:** The Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives (PFKI) is added for providing grants to projects supporting the war and funding PR agencies responsible for managing pro-war narratives. **Impact Analysis** **Listed Natural Persons and Entities (e.g., Maria Dudko, Alexandra Jost, PFKI)** **Impact** These individuals and the entity are now subject to the restrictive measures framework established in Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643. This typically involves restrictions on their ability to operate or access resources within the Union. **Action Required** The listed parties must comply with the restrictions imposed and may seek legal recourse if they wish to challenge their inclusion on the list. **EU Member States and Competent Authorities** **Impact** Member States are responsible for the enforcement of these updated restrictive measures within their jurisdictions. **Action Required** Authorities must ensure that the sanctions against the 11 newly added entries are implemented effectively as of the date of publication. **EU Economic Operators and Financial Institutions** **Impact** Businesses and financial institutions operating within the EU are prohibited from engaging with the listed individuals and entity in a manner that violates the restrictive measures. **Action Required** Operators must update their compliance and screening systems to include the 10 natural persons and the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives to prevent the provision of funds or economic resources to these parties.

Key Entities Referenced

Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643: The primary legal framework concerning restrictive measures in response to Russia’s destabilising activities, which this decision amends to expand the sanctions list. Council of the European Union: The primary legislative body responsible for adopting this decision under the Treaty on European Union. Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives (PFKI): A Russian state-funded organization added to the sanctions list for financing propaganda agencies and projects supporting the war against Ukraine. Ukraine: The central location whose sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity the policy seeks to protect from foreign information manipulation.
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Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2026/1351 15.6.2026 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/1351 of 15 June 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) On 8 October 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643(1). (2) In its conclusions of 16 March 2026, the Council strongly condemned and held accountable the Russian Federation and its proxies for their persistent, coordinated and long-standing hybrid campaigns aimed at threatening and undermining the security, resilience and democratic foundations of the Union, its Member States and its partners, as well as undermining support for Ukraine and its ability to defend itself. The Council declared that it would continue to act with determination through a strategic approach to counter Russia’s hybrid threats, including through asymmetric and proportionate measures in line with international law. (3) The Union remains unwavering in its condemnation of Russia’s malicious activities directed against the Union, its Member States, international organisations and third countries. (4) In view of the gravity of the situation, the Council considers that 10 natural persons and one entity should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643. (5) Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 should therefore be amended accordingly, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision. (1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 of 8 October 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities (OJ L, 2024/2643, 9.10.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2643/oj). ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj 1/13EN OJ L, 15.6.2026 Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Done at Luxembourg, 15 June 2026. For the Council The President K. KALLAS 2/13 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/ojANNEX Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 is amended as follows: (1) the following entries are added under the heading ‘A. Natural persons’: Name Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing ‘70. Maria Vladimirovna DUDKO Function: Director of public relations (PR) Maria Dudko is the director of Russian public relations (PR) agency “Limitless” 15.6.2026 agency “Limitless” (Bezgranichnye) (Bezgranichnye), funded by the Russian government through grants from the (Russian: Мария Владимировна Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives, a foundation created by decree of ДУДКО) DOB: 26.11.1994 Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Presidential Foundation for Cultural POB: Stavropol, Russian Federation Initiatives provides grants for various projects, including for projects supporting the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The funding for PR agency Nationality: Russian “Limitless” has enabled the PR agency’s operations. PR agency “Limitless” is responsible for managing Western influencers who echo Kremlin narratives and Gender: female pro-war propaganda talking points, thereby destabilising Ukraine and Ukrainian allies by flooding the information space with disinformation. Maria Dudko is also personally involved in supporting those efforts. Therefore, Maria Dudko is facilitating actions or policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation which undermine or threaten the sovereignty or independence of a third country (Ukraine) through supporting the use of information manipulation and interference. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj 3/13 OJ L, 15.6.2026 ENName Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing 71. Alexandra JOST Function: Blogger, social media influencer Alexandra Jost is a social media influencer living in Russia. She has been actively 15.6.2026 operating several social media accounts (X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Telegram (Russian: Александра ЙОСТ) DOB: 15.5.1998 from Russia under the name “Sasha meets Russia” or “Sasha and Russia”, with A.k.a.: Sasha JOST POB: Hong Kong, China a significant reach among Western audiences. (Russian: Саша ЙОСТ) Nationality: Russian She has built an extensive base of followers under the guise of cultural coverage, while focusing on pro-war and pro-Kremlin propaganda with regard to Ukraine, Gender: female and supporting the Kremlin’s political establishment and the Russian armed forces. In particular, she has been disseminating disinformation and supporting Russia’s neo-colonial territorial claims about Ukraine and the military invasion of Ukraine, for example, when addressing Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, she claimed that Crimea is Russia and soon all of Ukraine will be too. She has also produced content while being paid by TV-Novosti, the legal entity behind Russian state media outlet Russia Today (“RT”), which is subject to Union restrictive measures. An independent investigation shows that Alexandra Jost received funding from Russian state media outlet RT averaging 170 000 Russian Rubles (USD 2 000) per month during the first three quarters of 2024. Alexandra Jost and her husband also received grants provided by the Kremlin’s Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives funnelled through the Public Relations agency “Limitless”. She also participated in at least three coordinated events in 2025, including with Maria Butina, who is an individual subject to Union restrictive measures. Therefore, Alexandra Jost is implementing, supporting and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation which undermine or threaten stability or security in the Union or in a third country (Ukraine) by engaging in, supporting or otherwise facilitating the use of information manipulation and interference. 4/13 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj EN OJ L, 15.6.2026Name Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing 72. Roman Yurevich Function: Russian writer and publicist, Roman Antonovskii is a Russian writer, publicist and propagandist affiliated with 15.6.2026 ANTONOVSKII propagandist, author of the Telegram channel the pro-Kremlin media outlet Tsargrad TV, and the author of the Telegram “Sons of the Monarchy” channel “Sons of the Monarchy”. Through his publications, media appearances (Russian: Роман Юрьевич and online activities, he systematically disseminates narratives aligned with the АНТОНОВСКИЙ) DOB: 30.11.1979 Russian Federation’s state propaganda. POB: Moscow, Former Russian SFSR (now Roman Antonovskii actively promotes and legitimises Russia’s armed aggression Russian Federation) against Ukraine. In his public communications and writings, he spreads Nationality: Russian anti-Ukrainian propaganda, dehumanises Ukrainians and advances ideological narratives of the so-called “Russian world”, which are widely used by the Kremlin Gender: male to justify its expansionist policies and the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. He has repeatedly denied Ukraine’s right to sovereignty and statehood, arguing that Ukrainian territories should be incorporated into the Russian Federation, and refers to occupied regions of Ukraine using imperial concepts such as “Little Russia” and “Novorossiya”. Through those statements, Roman Antonovskii promotes the dismantling of Ukraine as an independent state and publicly supports the territorial expansion of the Russian Federation. Therefore, Roman Antonovskii is supporting and implementing actions and policies attributable to the Government of Russian Federation, which undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the Union, its Member States and a third country (Ukraine) through engaging in the use of information manipulation and interference, and supporting a violent conflict in a third country (Ukraine). ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj 5/13 OJ L, 15.6.2026 ENName Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing 73. Pavel Alekseyevich ASTAKHOV Function: Russian politician, lawyer and Pavel Astakhov is a Russian lawyer, media personality and former Presidential 15.6.2026 television personality Commissioner for Children’s Rights of the Russian Federation (2009 to 2016). (Russian: Павел Алексеевич АСТАХОВ) DOB: 8.9.1966 He has maintained a sustained and influential presence in Russian state-aligned media. He has hosted and appeared on television and radio programmes on POB: Moscow, former Russian SFSR (now outlets including REN TV and Radio Sputnik, where he has repeatedly commented Russian Federation) on political developments concerning Ukrainian and Russian foreign policy. Nationality: Russian Following the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, Pavel Astakhov publicly Gender: male supported the incorporation of Crimea into the Russian Federation and endorsed official narratives justifying Russian actions in Ukraine. He has also travelled to territories of eastern Ukraine occupied by Russia, including the Donbas region, where he engaged in public activities presented as humanitarian or child-protection missions. Those visits were conducted without the consent of the Ukrainian authorities and contributed to the legitimisation of Russia-backed structures operating in those territories. Through his public statements, media activities and audiovisual productions, Pavel Astakhov has engaged in and supported the dissemination of narratives aligned with the strategic objectives of the Government of the Russian Federation, including narratives justifying violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and discrediting Ukraine. Therefore, he is supporting, implementing and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of Russian Federation, which undermine and threaten stability and security in the Union, its Member States and a third country (Ukraine) through engaging in the use of information manipulation and interference, and supporting a violent conflict in a third country (Ukraine). 6/13 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj EN OJ L, 15.6.2026Name Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing 74. Olga Adolfovna KIRIY Function: Russian national and a journalist and Olga Kiriy is a Russian national and a journalist and producer at RT Documentary, 15.6.2026 producer at RT Documentary a state-controlled media outlet that plays a central role in the Kremlin’s (Russian: Ольга Адольфовна information warfare. She systematically contributes to the dissemination of КИРИЙ) DOB: 19.7.1968 disinformation narratives aimed at justifying Russia’s war of aggression against POB: Tambov, former Russian SFSR (now Ukraine. Her work directly supports the Kremlin’s strategic communication Russian Federation) objectives by portraying Ukraine as a “fascist” or “toxic” state and by legitimising Russia’s military actions. Nationality: Russian Olga Kiriy is the author and producer of multiple propaganda films, including Gender: female Azovstal (2022), The Victims Speak … (2023), Cossacks (2023), I Blame Fascism (2025) and Ukraine’s Toxic War (2025). Those productions amplify core Kremlin narratives, distort facts about the situation in Ukraine and seek to influence both domestic and international audiences. Through her activities, Olga Kiriy actively participates in foreign information manipulation and interference campaigns orchestrated by the Russian state. Her work is disseminated within Russia and also abroad, including through RT Documentary’s international promotional campaigns and through participation in foreign events, screenings, and media initiatives. Those activities aim to circumvent existing restrictions on Russian state media and to influence public opinion in the third countries. By virtue of her position and activities, Olga Kiriy is supporting, implementing and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of Russian Federation, which undermine and threaten stability and security in the Union, its Member States and a third country (Ukraine) through engaging in the use of information manipulation and interference, and supporting a violent conflict in a third country (Ukraine). ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj 7/13 OJ L, 15.6.2026 ENName Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing 75. Igor Valentinovich MALTSEV Function: columnist for “RT in Russian”, “Life” Igor Maltsev is a Russian journalist, writer and media commentator who uses 15.6.2026 and “Kommersant”, Russian writer, publicist, major pro-Kremlin outlets (including RT, Life and Kommersant) to disseminate (Russian: Игор Валентинович TV presenter and journalist propaganda, disinformation and narratives aimed at undermining Ukraine’s МАЛЬЦЕВ) statehood and sovereignty, discrediting Ukraine’s political and military leadership DOB: 26.10.1958 and weakening Western support for Ukraine. POB: Leningrad, former Russian SFSR (now Igor Maltsev openly supports Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and justifies Russian Federation) the occupation of Ukrainian territory. In his media outputs and Telegram channel, Nationality: Russian Igor Maltsev glorifies Russian military personnel, illegal armed groups, mercenaries and occupation administrators and expresses admiration for Vladimir Gender: male Putin. Igor Maltsev has also promoted a Russian Ministry of Defence video game, entitled Squad 22: ZOV, that celebrates participants of the invasion, while discrediting Ukrainian defenders. Igor Maltsev regularly labels Ukrainian soldiers as “Nazi fanatics”, and falsely accuses them of causing the war and of prisoner abuse. He also spreads disinformation about “chaos,” “rampant crime” and “mass looting” in Kyiv and advances fake narratives portraying Ukraine as a global hub of illegal arms trafficking. By consistently disseminating such narratives, Igor Maltsev is supporting, implementing and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of Russian Federation, which undermine and threaten stability and security in the Union, its Member States and in a third country (Ukraine) through engaging in the use of information manipulation and interference, and supporting a violent conflict in a third country (Ukraine). 8/13 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj EN OJ L, 15.6.2026Name Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing 76. Maria Yurievna Function: Editor-in-chief of “Krymskaya Gazeta” Maria Volkonskaya is a Russian propagandist, media executive and editor-in-chief 15.6.2026 VOLKONSKAYA of the state-controlled newspaper “Krymskaya Gazeta”. DOB: 13.7.1985 (Ukrainian: Марія Юріївна Maria Volkonskaya plays an active role in the Russian state propaganda system POB: Yalta, former Ukrainian SFSR (now ВОЛКОНСЬКА; Russian: Мария and regularly disseminates hostile and manipulative narratives targeting Ukraine. Ukraine) Юрьевна ВОЛКОНСКАЯ) Through her editorial work and public commentary, she promotes a strongly Nationality: Ukrainian, Russian anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, including narratives that dehumanise Ukrainians and that portray Ukraine and its authorities as illegitimate or extremist. Her publications Gender: female contribute to the justification of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to the mobilisation of public support for Russian military actions. Maria Volkonskaya also spreads disinformation concerning Ukraine’s international partners, including Poland and other Western states, portraying them as hostile actors allegedly manipulating or exploiting Ukraine. Through such narratives, she seeks to undermine international support for Ukraine and to distort public understanding of the role of Western countries in the conflict. Through her systematic dissemination of anti-Ukrainian propaganda and disinformation, including narratives aimed at dehumanising Ukrainians, distorting historical facts, and discrediting Ukraine’s partners, Maria Volkonskaya is supporting, implementing and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation which undermine or threaten stability and security in the Union and in Ukraine, through engaging in the use of information manipulation. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj 9/13 OJ L, 15.6.2026 ENName Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing 77. Anatoly Aleksandrovich Function: Radio and television host, columnist Anatoly Kuzichev is a prominent Russian propagandist who actively spreads 15.6.2026 KUZICHEV and producer, host of the programme “Vremya Russian propaganda and disinformation to justify Russia’s war of aggression Pokazhet” on channel “One”, an All-Russia against Ukraine. He openly states that he participates in an information war on (Russian: Анатолий People’s Front TV programme Russia’s side, asserting that journalistic principles do not apply during wartime Александрович КУЗИЧЕВ) and that he defends Russia’s position. DOB: 15.5.1969 Anatoly Kuzichev consistently portrays Ukraine as an aggressive, deceptive and POB: Moscow, former Russian SFSR (now repressive state, controlled by extremists and supported by the West. He claims Russian Federation) that Russia was compelled to enter the conflict, that Ukrainian leadership and Nationality: Russian society are motivated by hostility toward Russians, and that military pressure, including strikes and targeted killings, is both necessary and justified. He dismisses Gender: male peace talks as harmful, labels Ukrainians who oppose Russia as traitors or terrorists, and frames the war as a defensive, righteous struggle. Therefore, Anatoly Kuzichev is implementing and supporting actions and policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in the Union and in a third country (Ukraine) through coordinated information manipulation and interference, as well as through instigating and supporting a violent conflict in the third country (Ukraine). 10/13 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj EN OJ L, 15.6.2026Name Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing 78. Georgiy Aleksandrovich Function: Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Georgiy Shevkunov is a Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church who plays an 15.6.2026 SHEVKUNOV Church, Metropolitan of Simferopol and active role in spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation aimed at Crimea, Head of Crimea Metropole; Deputy justifying Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. (Russian: Георгий Chairman of the Public Council under the Александрович ШЕВКУНОВ) Georgiy Shevkunov systematically spreads pro-Kremlin disinformation, including Ministry of Education of Russia claims of “Nazism” in Ukraine. He also denies Ukraine’s sovereignty, and justifies DOB: 2.7.1958 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as necessary, defensive and divinely sanctioned. Through sermons, media platforms, state-funded cultural projects, and direct POB: Moscow, former Russian SFSR (now fundraising for Russian troops in occupied Crimea, he promotes and enables Russian Federation) Russia’s military actions. Nationality: Russian Therefore, Georgiy Shevkunov is implementing and supporting actions and Gender: male policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation, which undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in the Union and a third country (Ukraine), with coordinated information manipulation and interference, and through supporting a violent conflict in the third country (Ukraine). ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj 11/13 OJ L, 15.6.2026 ENName Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing 79. Kirill FEDOROV Position: Military blogger, author of the Kirill Fedorov is a prominent propagandist and military correspondent who plays 15.6.2026’ Telegram channel “Kirill Fedorov/War. History an active role in spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation aimed at (Russian: Кирилл ФЕДОРОВ) of Weapons” (“Kirill Fedorov/Voina. Istoriya justifying Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Oruzhiya”), host of an original programme on Kirill Fedorov portrays occupied Ukrainian territories as “liberated”. He also raises Russian propaganda channel “Solovyov LIVE” money for Russian frontline units, presenting himself as a volunteer organiser DOB: 3.9.1991 while using those campaigns to reinforce pro-war messaging. In the content he creates, Kirill Fedorov amplifies disinformation and unverified claims, often POB: Riga, Latvia framing events in ways that discredit Ukraine and glorify Russian forces. Nationality: Latvian Therefore, Kirill Fedorov is implementing, supporting and facilitating actions and Gender: male policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation, which undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in the Union and a third country (Ukraine), through coordinated information manipulation and interference, and by supporting a violent conflict in the third country (Ukraine). 12/13 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj EN OJ L, 15.6.2026(2) the following entry is added under the heading ‘B. Legal persons, entities and bodies’: Name Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing ‘20. Presidential Foundation for Address: Sredniy Ovchinnikovsky 8, Moscow, The Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives is a foundation created by 15.6.2026’ Cultural Initiatives/ PFKI Russian Federation decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It provides grants for various projects, including for projects supporting the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. (Russian: Президентский Фонд Place of registration: Moscow, Russian That foundation has also provided funding for public relations (PR) agency Культурных Инициатив / ПФКИ) Federation “Limitless” (Bezgranichnye), thereby enabling its operations. PR agency “Limitless” Date of registration: 1.6.2021 is responsible for managing Western influencers who echo Kremlin narratives and pro-war propaganda talking points, thereby destabilising Ukraine and Ukrainian OGRN: 1217700257170 allies by flooding the information space with disinformation. INN: 9704068763 As the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives has funded the activities of PR agency “Limitless”, it is involved in actions attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation which undermine or threaten the sovereignty or independence of a third country (Ukraine) through supporting or otherwise facilitating the use of information manipulation and interference. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1351/oj 13/13 OJ L, 15.6.2026 EN

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