COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2026/1356

| Official Journal of the European Union | EN L series ---|---|--- * * * | 2026/1356 | 15.6.2026 ---|---|--- COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2026/1356 of 15 June 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 of 8 October 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities (1), and in particular Article 13(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) | On 8 October 2024, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/2642. ---|--- (2) | In its conclusions of 16 March 2026, the Council strongly condemned and held accountable the Russian Federation and its proxies for their persistent, coordinated and long-standing hybrid campaigns aimed at threatening and undermining the security, resilience and democratic foundations of the Union, its Member States and its partners, as well as undermining support for Ukraine and its ability to defend itself. The Council declared that it would continue to act with determination through a strategic approach to counter Russia’s hybrid threats, including through asymmetric and proportionate measures in line with international law. ---|--- (3) | The Union remains unwavering in its condemnation of Russia’s malicious activities directed against the Union, its Member States, international organisations and third countries. ---|--- (4) | In view of the gravity of the situation, the Council considers that 10 natural persons and one entity should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2024/2642. ---|--- (5) | Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 should therefore be amended accordingly, ---|--- HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation. Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Luxembourg, 15 June 2026. For the Council The President K. KALLAS * * * (1) OJ L, 2024/2642, 9.10.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2642/oj. * * * ANNEX Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 is amended as follows: (1) | the following entries are added under the heading ‘A. Natural persons’: | | Name | Identifying information | Statement of Reasons | Date of listing ---|---|---|---|--- ‘70. | Maria Vladimirovna DUDKO (Russian: Мария Владимировна ДУДКО) | Function: Director of public relations (PR) agency “Limitless” (Bezgranichnye) DOB: 26.11.1994 POB: Stavropol, Russian Federation Nationality: Russian Gender: female | Maria Dudko is the director of Russian public relations (PR) agency “Limitless” (Bezgranichnye), funded by the Russian government through grants from the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives, a foundation created by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives provides grants for various projects, including for projects supporting the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The funding for PR agency “Limitless” has enabled the PR agency’s operations. PR agency “Limitless” is responsible for managing Western influencers who echo Kremlin narratives and pro-war propaganda talking points, thereby destabilising Ukraine and Ukrainian allies by flooding the information space with disinformation. Maria Dudko is also personally involved in supporting those efforts. Therefore, Maria Dudko is facilitating actions or policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation which undermine or threaten the sovereignty or independence of a third country (Ukraine) through supporting the use of information manipulation and interference. | 15.6.2026 71. | Alexandra JOST (Russian: Александра ЙОСТ) A.k.a.: Sasha JOST (Russian: Саша ЙОСТ) | Function: Blogger, social media influencer DOB: 15.5.1998 POB: Hong Kong, China Nationality: Russian Gender: female | Alexandra Jost is a social media influencer living in Russia. She has been actively operating several social media accounts (X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Telegram from Russia under the name “Sasha meets Russia” or “Sasha and Russia”, with a significant reach among Western audiences. She has built an extensive base of followers under the guise of cultural coverage, while focusing on pro-war and pro-Kremlin propaganda with regard to Ukraine, and supporting the Kremlin’s political establishment and the Russian armed forces. In particular, she has been disseminating disinformation and supporting Russia’s neo-colonial territorial claims about Ukraine and the military invasion of Ukraine, for example, when addressing Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, she claimed that Crimea is Russia and soon all of Ukraine will be too. She has also produced content while being paid by TV-Novosti, the legal entity behind Russian state media outlet Russia Today (“RT”), which is subject to Union restrictive measures. An independent investigation shows that Alexandra Jost received funding from Russian state media outlet RT averaging 170 000 Russian Rubles (USD 2 000 ) per month during the first three quarters of 2024. Alexandra Jost and her husband also received grants provided by the Kremlin’s Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives funnelled through the Public Relations agency “Limitless”. She also participated in at least three coordinated events in 2025, including with Maria Butina, who is an individual subject to Union restrictive measures. Therefore, Alexandra Jost is implementing, supporting and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation which undermine or threaten stability or security in the Union or in a third country (Ukraine) by engaging in, supporting or otherwise facilitating the use of information manipulation and interference. | 15.6.2026 72. | Roman Yurevich ANTONOVSKII (Russian: Роман Юрьевич АНТОНОВСКИЙ) | Function: Russian writer and publicist, propagandist, author of the Telegram channel “Sons of the Monarchy” DOB: 30.11.1979 POB: Moscow, Former Russian SFSR (now Russian Federation) Nationality: Russian Gender: male | Roman Antonovskii is a Russian writer, publicist and propagandist affiliated with the pro-Kremlin media outlet Tsargrad TV, and the author of the Telegram channel “Sons of the Monarchy”. Through his publications, media appearances and online activities, he systematically disseminates narratives aligned with the Russian Federation’s state propaganda. Roman Antonovskii actively promotes and legitimises Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. In his public communications and writings, he spreads anti-Ukrainian propaganda, dehumanises Ukrainians and advances ideological narratives of the so-called “Russian world”, which are widely used by the Kremlin to justify its expansionist policies and the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. He has repeatedly denied Ukraine’s right to sovereignty and statehood, arguing that Ukrainian territories should be incorporated into the Russian Federation, and refers to occupied regions of Ukraine using imperial concepts such as “Little Russia” and “Novorossiya”. Through those statements, Roman Antonovskii promotes the dismantling of Ukraine as an independent state and publicly supports the territorial expansion of the Russian Federation. Therefore, Roman Antonovskii is supporting and implementing actions and policies attributable to the Government of Russian Federation, which undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the Union, its Member States and a third country (Ukraine) through engaging in the use of information manipulation and interference, and supporting a violent conflict in a third country (Ukraine). | 15.6.2026 73. | Pavel Alekseyevich ASTAKHOV (Russian: Павел Алексеевич АСТАХОВ) | Function: Russian politician, lawyer and television personality DOB: 8.9.1966 POB: Moscow, former Russian SFSR (now Russian Federation) Nationality: Russian Gender: male | Pavel Astakhov is a Russian lawyer, media personality and former Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights of the Russian Federation (2009 to 2016). He has maintained a sustained and influential presence in Russian state-aligned media. He has hosted and appeared on television and radio programmes on outlets including REN TV and Radio Sputnik, where he has repeatedly commented on political developments concerning Ukrainian and Russian foreign policy. Following the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, Pavel Astakhov publicly supported the incorporation of Crimea into the Russian Federation and endorsed official narratives justifying Russian actions in Ukraine. He has also travelled to territories of eastern Ukraine occupied by Russia, including the Donbas region, where he engaged in public activities presented as humanitarian or child-protection missions. Those visits were conducted without the consent of the Ukrainian authorities and contributed to the legitimisation of Russia-backed structures operating in those territories. Through his public statements, media activities and audiovisual productions, Pavel Astakhov has engaged in and supported the dissemination of narratives aligned with the strategic objectives of the Government of the Russian Federation, including narratives justifying violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and discrediting Ukraine. Therefore, he is supporting, implementing and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of Russian Federation, which undermine and threaten stability and security in the Union, its Member States and a third country (Ukraine) through engaging in the use of information manipulation and interference, and supporting a violent conflict in a third country (Ukraine). | 15.6.2026 74. | Olga Adolfovna KIRIY (Russian: Ольга Адольфовна КИРИЙ) | Function: Russian national and a journalist and producer at RT Documentary DOB: 19.7.1968 POB: Tambov, former Russian SFSR (now Russian Federation) Nationality: Russian Gender: female | Olga Kiriy is a Russian national and a journalist and producer at RT Documentary, a state-controlled media outlet that plays a central role in the Kremlin’s information warfare. She systematically contributes to the dissemination of disinformation narratives aimed at justifying Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Her work directly supports the Kremlin’s strategic communication objectives by portraying Ukraine as a “fascist” or “toxic” state and by legitimising Russia’s military actions. Olga Kiriy is the author and producer of multiple propaganda films, including Azovstal (2022), The Victims Speak … (2023), Cossacks (2023), I Blame Fascism (2025) and Ukraine’s Toxic War (2025). Those productions amplify core Kremlin narratives, distort facts about the situation in Ukraine and seek to influence both domestic and international audiences. Through her activities, Olga Kiriy actively participates in foreign information manipulation and interference campaigns orchestrated by the Russian state. Her work is disseminated within Russia and also abroad, including through RT Documentary’s international promotional campaigns and through participation in foreign events, screenings, and media initiatives. Those activities aim to circumvent existing restrictions on Russian state media and to influence public opinion in the third countries. By virtue of her position and activities, Olga Kiriy is supporting, implementing and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of Russian Federation, which undermine and threaten stability and security in the Union, its Member States and a third country (Ukraine) through engaging in the use of information manipulation and interference, and supporting a violent conflict in a third country (Ukraine). | 15.6.2026 75. | Igor Valentinovich MALTSEV (Russian: Игор Валентинович МАЛЬЦЕВ) | Function: columnist for “RT in Russian”, “Life” and “Kommersant”, Russian writer, publicist, TV presenter and journalist DOB: 26.10.1958 POB: Leningrad, former Russian SFSR (now Russian Federation) Nationality: Russian Gender: male | Igor Maltsev is a Russian journalist, writer and media commentator who uses major pro-Kremlin outlets (including RT, Life and Kommersant) to disseminate propaganda, disinformation and narratives aimed at undermining Ukraine’s statehood and sovereignty, discrediting Ukraine’s political and military leadership and weakening Western support for Ukraine. Igor Maltsev openly supports Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and justifies the occupation of Ukrainian territory. In his media outputs and Telegram channel, Igor Maltsev glorifies Russian military personnel, illegal armed groups, mercenaries and occupation administrators and expresses admiration for Vladimir Putin. Igor Maltsev has also promoted a Russian Ministry of Defence video game, entitled Squad 22: ZOV, that celebrates participants of the invasion, while discrediting Ukrainian defenders. Igor Maltsev regularly labels Ukrainian soldiers as “Nazi fanatics”, and falsely accuses them of causing the war and of prisoner abuse. He also spreads disinformation about “chaos,” “rampant crime” and “mass looting” in Kyiv and advances fake narratives portraying Ukraine as a global hub of illegal arms trafficking. By consistently disseminating such narratives, Igor Maltsev is supporting, implementing and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of Russian Federation, which undermine and threaten stability and security in the Union, its Member States and in a third country (Ukraine) through engaging in the use of information manipulation and interference, and supporting a violent conflict in a third country (Ukraine). | 15.6.2026 76. | Maria Yurievna VOLKONSKAYA (Ukrainian: Марія Юріївна ВОЛКОНСЬКА; Russian: Мария Юрьевна ВОЛКОНСКАЯ) | Function: Editor-in-chief of “Krymskaya Gazeta” DOB: 13.7.1985 POB: Yalta, former Ukrainian SFSR (now Ukraine) Nationality: Ukrainian, Russian Gender: female | Maria Volkonskaya is a Russian propagandist, media executive and editor-in-chief of the state-controlled newspaper “Krymskaya Gazeta”. Maria Volkonskaya plays an active role in the Russian state propaganda system and regularly disseminates hostile and manipulative narratives targeting Ukraine. Through her editorial work and public commentary, she promotes a strongly anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, including narratives that dehumanise Ukrainians and that portray Ukraine and its authorities as illegitimate or extremist. Her publications contribute to the justification of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to the mobilisation of public support for Russian military actions. Maria Volkonskaya also spreads disinformation concerning Ukraine’s international partners, including Poland and other Western states, portraying them as hostile actors allegedly manipulating or exploiting Ukraine. Through such narratives, she seeks to undermine international support for Ukraine and to distort public understanding of the role of Western countries in the conflict. Through her systematic dissemination of anti-Ukrainian propaganda and disinformation, including narratives aimed at dehumanising Ukrainians, distorting historical facts, and discrediting Ukraine’s partners, Maria Volkonskaya is supporting, implementing and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation which undermine or threaten stability and security in the Union and in Ukraine, through engaging in the use of information manipulation. | 15.6.2026 77. | Anatoly Aleksandrovich KUZICHEV (Russian: Анатолий Александрович КУЗИЧЕВ) | Function: Radio and television host, columnist and producer, host of the programme “Vremya Pokazhet” on channel “One”, an All-Russia People’s Front TV programme DOB: 15.5.1969 POB: Moscow, former Russian SFSR (now Russian Federation) Nationality: Russian Gender: male | Anatoly Kuzichev is a prominent Russian propagandist who actively spreads Russian propaganda and disinformation to justify Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. He openly states that he participates in an information war on Russia’s side, asserting that journalistic principles do not apply during wartime and that he defends Russia’s position. Anatoly Kuzichev consistently portrays Ukraine as an aggressive, deceptive and repressive state, controlled by extremists and supported by the West. He claims that Russia was compelled to enter the conflict, that Ukrainian leadership and society are motivated by hostility toward Russians, and that military pressure, including strikes and targeted killings, is both necessary and justified. He dismisses peace talks as harmful, labels Ukrainians who oppose Russia as traitors or terrorists, and frames the war as a defensive, righteous struggle. Therefore, Anatoly Kuzichev is implementing and supporting actions and policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation that undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in the Union and in a third country (Ukraine) through coordinated information manipulation and interference, as well as through instigating and supporting a violent conflict in the third country (Ukraine). | 15.6.2026 78. | Georgiy Aleksandrovich SHEVKUNOV (Russian: Георгий Александрович ШЕВКУНОВ) | Function: Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea, Head of Crimea Metropole; Deputy Chairman of the Public Council under the Ministry of Education of Russia DOB: 2.7.1958 POB: Moscow, former Russian SFSR (now Russian Federation) Nationality: Russian Gender: male | Georgiy Shevkunov is a Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church who plays an active role in spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation aimed at justifying Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. Georgiy Shevkunov systematically spreads pro-Kremlin disinformation, including claims of “Nazism” in Ukraine. He also denies Ukraine’s sovereignty, and justifies Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as necessary, defensive and divinely sanctioned. Through sermons, media platforms, state-funded cultural projects, and direct fundraising for Russian troops in occupied Crimea, he promotes and enables Russia’s military actions. Therefore, Georgiy Shevkunov is implementing and supporting actions and policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation, which undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in the Union and a third country (Ukraine), with coordinated information manipulation and interference, and through supporting a violent conflict in the third country (Ukraine). | 15.6.2026 79. | Kirill FEDOROV (Russian: Кирилл ФЕДОРОВ) | Position: Military blogger, author of the Telegram channel “Kirill Fedorov/War. History of Weapons” (“Kirill Fedorov/Voina. Istoriya Oruzhiya”), host of an original programme on Russian propaganda channel “Solovyov LIVE” DOB: 3.9.1991 POB: Riga, Latvia Nationality: Latvian Gender: male | Kirill Fedorov is a prominent propagandist and military correspondent who plays an active role in spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation aimed at justifying Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Kirill Fedorov portrays occupied Ukrainian territories as “liberated”. He also raises money for Russian frontline units, presenting himself as a volunteer organiser while using those campaigns to reinforce pro-war messaging. In the content he creates, Kirill Fedorov amplifies disinformation and unverified claims, often framing events in ways that discredit Ukraine and glorify Russian forces. Therefore, Kirill Fedorov is implementing, supporting and facilitating actions and policies attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation, which undermine or threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in the Union and a third country (Ukraine), through coordinated information manipulation and interference, and by supporting a violent conflict in the third country (Ukraine). | 15.6.2026’; (2) | the following entry is added under the heading ‘B. Legal persons, entities and bodies’: | | Name | Identifying information | Statement of Reasons | Date of listing ---|---|---|---|--- ‘20. | Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives/ PFKI (Russian: Президентский Фонд Культурных Инициатив / ПФКИ) | Address: Sredniy Ovchinnikovsky 8, Moscow, Russian Federation Place of registration: Moscow, Russian Federation Date of registration: 1.6.2021 OGRN: 1217700257170 INN: 9704068763 | The Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives is a foundation created by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It provides grants for various projects, including for projects supporting the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. That foundation has also provided funding for public relations (PR) agency “Limitless” (Bezgranichnye), thereby enabling its operations. PR agency “Limitless” is responsible for managing Western influencers who echo Kremlin narratives and pro-war propaganda talking points, thereby destabilising Ukraine and Ukrainian allies by flooding the information space with disinformation. As the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives has funded the activities of PR agency “Limitless”, it is involved in actions attributable to the Government of the Russian Federation which undermine or threaten the sovereignty or independence of a third country (Ukraine) through supporting or otherwise facilitating the use of information manipulation and interference. | 15.6.2026’. * * * ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/1356/oj ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition) * * *