On February 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree implementing sanctions against ten Russian athletes. This decision follows a resolution from the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC).
The sanctions stem from a petition initiated by Vladislav Geraskevich, a Ukrainian skeleton athlete and member of the national Olympic team. The petition highlighted the involvement of these athletes in activities that support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
The list includes athletes who have visited temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea. Additionally, these individuals have publicly justified Russia’s actions in Ukraine, raised funds for occupying forces, and participated in events related to the abduction of Ukrainian children.
“This Ukrainian sanctions package should serve as a signal to others in the world — a signal that one cannot simply turn a blind eye to support for aggression. When Ukrainians are prohibited from even mentioning the victims of Russian aggression at the Olympics, it is a clear global regression from justice. We will restore justice,” Zelensky stated.
Earlier in February, Geraskevich registered his petition calling for sanctions against Russian athletes who endorse the war against Ukraine. He argued that imposing sanctions would be a crucial first step toward similar measures by Ukraine’s partner countries, effectively barring these athletes from participating in international competitions that they use to promote the war.
The athletes listed in Geraskevich’s petition include:
- Angelina Melnikova (who has supported Russian aggression on social media);
- Svetlana Gomboeva (who has repeatedly visited annexed Crimea);
- Yana Yegoryan (an ambassador for a sanctioned organization involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children);
- Evgeny Baidusov (who has visited annexed Crimea);
- Imam Ganishev (who has visited temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia and Sevastopol, and has shared pro-aggression content on social media);
- Madina Taymazova (who participated in a propaganda event aimed at legitimizing the deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories);
- Vladislav Larin (who called on Russians to support and finance the occupiers involved in military aggression against Ukraine);
- Maxim Kramtsov (who participated in a propaganda event and conducted a sports master class for children in temporarily occupied Donetsk);
- Fedor Chudinov (who visited temporarily occupied Luhansk, where he held propaganda sports events with Ukrainian children).
Ukraine has enacted sanctions against ten Russian athletes for their support of the ongoing aggression against the country. This move, initiated by a petition from a Ukrainian athlete, aims to signal international disapproval of such endorsements and prevent these individuals from participating in global sports events.