On April 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree implementing sanctions against five Russian cultural figures accused of promoting Russian aggression and propaganda on international platforms, particularly at the upcoming Venice Biennale.
The decree, numbered 305/2026, was made public on the President’s Office website. Among those sanctioned is Anastasia Karneeva, the daughter of a sanctioned deputy director of Rostec, who has served as the commissioner for the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale since 2021 and is set to represent Russia this year.
Also included in the sanctions is Mikhail Shvydkoy, a special representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin for cultural cooperation. Shvydkoy has openly endorsed the war against Ukraine, referring to it as a “significant historical moment,” and claims that Russia’s participation in the Venice Biennale demonstrates that Russian culture is not isolated.
The sanctions list further encompasses several Russian artists participating in this year’s Biennale. Notable figures include violinist Valeria Oleynik, who has repeatedly visited occupied Crimea since 2014 to support the war against Ukraine, and singer Ilya Tatakov, involved in creating a propaganda film in occupied Donetsk to promote the ideas of the “Russian World.” Vocalist Artem Nikolaev has also been linked to propaganda events in Crimea last year.
“Russia’s participation in the Venice Biennale is not about culture; it is about using international platforms to legitimize aggression and disseminate propaganda. You are either against the Russian regime and have access to the cultural space of the free world, or you serve propaganda, receive sanctions, and participate in a ‘cucumber festival,'” stated Vladislav Vlasuk, advisor to the president on sanctions policy.
Furthermore, Ukraine plans to share all necessary information with its partners to synchronize sanctions within their jurisdictions.
Ukraine has enacted sanctions against five Russian cultural figures ahead of the Venice Biennale, citing their roles in promoting Russian propaganda. The move reflects Ukraine's ongoing efforts to counteract Russian influence in the cultural sector on international stages.