EU Imposes Sanctions on Russian “Troll Factory” and Officials
The European Union has published a list of Russian individuals and organizations that have come under sanctions following Russia’s recognition of the independence of the parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions not controlled by Kyiv.
The list of sanctioned individuals includes:
- Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu
- Head of the Presidential Administration Anton Vaino
- Head of the media holding “News Front” Konstantin Knyrik
The EU blacklist also features the “Internet Research Agency,” which is often referred to in the media as the “troll factory” and is linked to businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhin’s wife and mother have also been sanctioned.
Several other Russians were added to the list, accused of spreading disinformation and propaganda. Those named on these grounds include:
- Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova
- TV host Vladimir Solovyov
- Editor-in-chief of MIA “Russia Today” and RT channel Margarita Simonyan
- Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Pyotr Tolstoy, who was Deputy Head of the Directorate of Social and Public Affairs Programs at Channel One from 2009 to 2016
- Senator Alexei Pushkov
The new individuals on the sanctions list will be banned not only from entering EU countries but also from transiting through their territories. Any accounts they hold in EU countries will be frozen. In addition, EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with any form of financing.