President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed four decrees enacting decisions of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to impose sanctions on enterprises of Russia’s military-industrial complex, companies belonging to the sanctioned Rusal group, collaborators, senior Russian officials, and the authors and distributors of the animated series Masha and the Bear.
Under one of the decisions, sanctions were imposed on 28 Russian citizens, 36 Russian companies, and one Chinese company. These include enterprises involved in supply chains for high-precision industrial equipment, tools and components, electronics, and raw materials supplied in circumvention of sanctions. Restrictions were also imposed on enterprises that manufacture and repair military and special-purpose equipment, conduct research in the field of drones, and develop specialized equipment and software for the needs of Russian security agencies.
Under another decision, Ukraine imposed sanctions on five enterprises of the Rusal group and nine Russian citizens associated with these companies. They are importers of alumina and producers of aluminum for the needs of Russia’s military-industrial complex. In circumvention of sanctions, nonferrous metallurgy enterprises also obtain raw materials and supply products used in the manufacture of military equipment, missile and artillery weapons, and military aircraft.
Another decision imposed sanctions on 45 individuals and eight legal entities. These include senior Russian officials who justify and promote Russia’s armed aggression, the occupation of Ukrainian territories, and assist the Russian invaders, as well as entities serving Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
In particular, sanctions were imposed on former Party of Regions MP Yurii Ivaniushchenko. He is a suspect in criminal proceedings concerning the legalization of land plots worth more than UAH 160 million. Companies associated with him also operate in temporarily occupied Crimea, he maintains ties with representatives of Russia’s criminal and business circles, and since the start of the full-scale invasion, he has repeatedly visited Russia.
“We continue to systematically identify and restrict the activities of enterprises working for Russia’s military-industrial complex. We expect our partners to support these efforts and European companies to end any cooperation with such Russian enterprises, including companies of the Rusal group. Sanctions must not merely identify involvement in Russia’s war machine, but actually deprive it of resources and international ties,” said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Advisor – Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Sanctions Policy.
Sanctions were also imposed on five Russian citizens and four organizations involved in the creation and distribution of the animated series Masha and the Bear, which spreads pro-Russian narratives disguised as children’s content and poses a threat to Ukraine’s national security.
The Animaccord studio, which created the animated series, is now under sanctions, along with its founder and CEO, as well as the screenwriter, director and producer, a co-author of the series who pays funds into the budget of the aggressor state, and the rights holder to this propaganda cartoon.
“We must also respond separately to Russian propaganda, especially when it targets children and is distributed through major international platforms,” Vladyslav Vlasiuk added.
Ukraine will provide partners with all necessary information to synchronize sanctions across international jurisdictions.