On February 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree imposing sanctions against Russian scholars, leaders of occupation administrations, and organizations that support Russia’s war against Ukraine. The decree, numbered 161/2026, was published on the official website of the President’s Office.
The sanctions target 29 individuals, including Russian propagandist Alexander Chubaryan, a co-author of a Russian school history textbook that justifies Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in a propagandistic manner.
“Also included are Russian pseudo-historian Alexey Miller and Artem Lagoyskiy, who betrayed Ukraine by serving the occupiers and heading the so-called ‘Ministry of Culture of the Kherson Region,’ facilitating the Russians in various ways, from passing necessary documents for the occupiers to violating the rights of Ukrainians,” the statement from the President’s Office noted.
Additionally, 15 Russian organizations and entities linked to the occupation administrations have been sanctioned for their roles in supporting the war, distorting historical facts, and appropriating cultural assets from museums and reserves in Crimea. These entities have also unlawfully seized documents from the National Archival Fund of Ukraine.
“We have imposed sanctions against cultural colonization—against those who have distorted Ukraine’s history for decades and imposed imperial narratives. This is not merely a cultural issue; it is a component of a hybrid war aimed at undermining our identity and statehood,” stated Vladislav Vlasuyk, the President’s advisor on sanctions policy.
Ukraine has enacted sanctions against Russian scholars and organizations involved in supporting the war and distorting history. The measures include both individuals and entities linked to the occupation of Ukrainian territories.