EU Unveils 20th Sanctions Package: Mariupol Theater Director Added to Blacklist

European Union Sanctions Target Igor Solonin

According to Главком: On April 23, 2026, the European Union released its 20th sanctions package against the Russian Federation, which includes Igor Solonin, the general director of a drama theater in occupied Mariupol. Solonin has been designated as an individual undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity, accused of facilitating Russian propaganda and profiting from the occupation authorities.

Born in 1978, Solonin lived in Donetsk until 2014. In August 2022, he voluntarily took charge of the Mariupol Republican Academic Russian Drama Theater, a new entity created by occupying forces after the original theater was destroyed in a Russian airstrike in 2022 and subsequently reorganized and renamed. Reports indicate that Solonin receives funding from the occupation administration of Donetsk Oblast as well as direct financial benefits from the Russian government.

In May 2025, Ukrainian authorities issued a formal suspicion notice against Solonin in absentia for collaboration activities under Part 5 of Article 111-1 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code. He is currently on the wanted list and faces up to 10 years in prison along with full asset confiscation if convicted.

International Community Responds

Solonin’s inclusion in the EU sanctions list triggers a full asset freeze across EU territory and a travel ban preventing entry into member states. This move underscores international efforts to hold accountable those supporting Russia’s aggressive policies toward Ukraine.

Notably, Russian occupation authorities organized a visit to Mariupol for a group of foreign journalists and bloggers from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These actions can be seen as an attempt to legitimize the occupation and spread Russian propaganda on a global stage.

The sanctions against Solonin are part of a broader European Union strategy aimed at curbing the influence of Russian collaborators and strengthening international support for Ukraine.

At the same time, the orchestration of foreign media visits to occupied territories highlights the critical role of information warfare in the conflict, as Russia seeks to craft a favorable image of its actions abroad.

As the EU intensifies its sanctions regime, the focus on individuals and entities linked to the Russian defense sector grows stronger. This comes in light of recent measures aimed at crippling the military-industrial complex in Russia, which are crucial for sustaining its military actions. To understand the broader implications of these sanctions, including their impact on the Russian defense industry, you can explore our coverage on Ukraine's new sanctions package.