Vladimir Zelensky imposed sanctions against Orthodox media journalists who speak in defense of the UOC

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved the decision of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) to impose personal sanctions against journalists of the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ) and First Cossack publications. These restrictive measures were initiated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

According to the decree, the sanctions envisage a wide range of measures, including blocking of assets, restriction of trade operations, termination of electronic communication services, as well as deprivation of state awards of Ukraine. In addition, a ban on the distribution of media products related to these resources is imposed on the territory of the country.

According to the decree № 810/2025, under the sanctions for a period of 10 years and indefinitely fell:

1. Viktor Viktorovich Vishnevetsky (born on 08.01.1968);
2. Vladimir Ostapovich Bobechko (born 30.08.1973);
3. Zharkikh Kateryna Denisovna (born on 10.05.1994);
4. Taras Ivanovich Zabubko (b. 24.02.1977);
5. Zoshchuk Aleksey Petrovich (07.05.1983);
6. Ruslan Vasilyevich Kalinchuk (born on 05.08.1987);
7. Lev Klimenko (born on 02.03.1999);
8. Mykola Moisienko (born on 26.05.1983);
9. Andrey Vladimirovich Ovcharenko (born on 19.06.1979);
10. Ovcharenko Irina Dmitrievna (Vershinina Irina Dmitrievna) (born on 01.03.1978);
11. Valery Antonovich Stupnitsky (born on 05.04.1973);
12. Sergey Igorevich Chertilin (born 11.08.1989).

Special attention is paid to the blocking of Internet resources. According to the Telegram channel of the Union of Orthodox Journalists, Internet providers have been ordered to block access to the website of the SPJ and related channels in social networks. It is noted that the main website of the publication has already been blocked earlier.

The Cabinet of Ministers, the SBU and the National Bank have been instructed to ensure the implementation and monitoring of the effectiveness of the sanctions. The Ministry of foreign Affairs of Ukraine is ordered to inform the competent authorities of the European Union, the United States of America and other states about the measures taken and raise the issue of their introduction of similar restrictive measures.

We shall remind you that on September 12, 2024 the State Service for Special Communication and Information Protection of Ukraine published an order according to which the information website Raskolam.net and other Internet media supporting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church were repeatedly blocked on the territory of Ukraine. The decision was made in response to an appeal by the Security Service of Ukraine and will remain in effect until the end of martial law in the country.