Ukraine Targets Russian Figures with Fresh Sanctions, Zelenskyy Announces

New Sanctions Package Against Russian Individuals

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that a new package of sanctions is being prepared against Russian individuals who are supporting the war effort and exploiting sports for propaganda purposes. All necessary documentation for its implementation has reportedly been completed. This move is intended to send a clear signal to the international community that support for aggression is unacceptable.

This initiative follows Ukraine's earlier sanctions imposed in January 2026 against Russian sports propagandists. In a related effort, Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych submitted a petition calling for sanctions against Russian athletes, which has been gaining public support.

Response to the International Olympic Committee's Actions

Meanwhile, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed Vladyslav Heraskevych's lawsuit against the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC had banned the athlete from competing at the 2026 Olympics due to a specific image on his helmet, leading to his disqualification just before his first skeleton run. The Ukrainian side has initiated an appeal process, with lawyer Yevhen Pronin already submitting a request to CAS to restore Heraskevych's right to participate in the 2026 Games.

"We are preparing a new sanctions package concerning Russian individuals who are working for the war and putting sport in the service of war. The documents are ready. This Ukrainian sanctions package must be a signal to others in the world-a signal that you cannot simply turn a blind eye to the support of aggression. When Ukrainians at the Olympics are forbidden from even mentioning the victims of Russian aggression, it is a clear global retreat from justice."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

This new sanctions package reflects an intensification of Ukraine's efforts to counter Russian aggression, particularly within the sporting sphere, which is often leveraged for propaganda. The dispute with the IOC underscores the broader geopolitical tensions influencing international sports. The response to the IOC's decisions also highlights the importance of international backing for Ukraine and may influence future rulings by sports bodies regarding the participation of Russian athletes in global competitions. This issue remains highly relevant as it illustrates the persistent difficulty of separating sport from politics on the world stage.