Zelensky imposes sanctions on UOJ and First Cossack journalists
Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: REUTERS
On October 31, 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to impose personal sanctions on individuals associated with the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ) and the First Cossack (Pershyi Kozatskyi) media outlet.
The sanctions were introduced at the initiative of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
The NSDC instructed the Cabinet of Ministers, the SBU, the National Bank, and the Commission on State Awards and Heraldry to “ensure the implementation and monitor the effectiveness of the personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions).”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was tasked with informing the competent authorities of the European Union, the United States, and other countries about the sanctions and with advocating for the introduction of similar restrictions abroad.
According to Presidential Decree No. 810/2025, the sanctions – some for 10 years and others indefinite – target the following individuals:
- Viktor Vyshnevetsky (b. 08.01.1968)
- Volodymyr Bobechko (b. 30.08.1973)'
- Kateryna Zharkykh (b. 10.05.1994)
- Taras Zabudko (b. 24.02.1977)
- Oleksiy Zoshchuk (b. 07.05.1983)
- Ruslan Kalynchuk (b. 05.08.1987)
- Lev Klymenko (b. 02.03.1999)
- Mykola Moisiienko (b. 26.05.1983)
- Andrii Ovcharenko (b. 19.06.1979)
- Iryna Ovcharenko (Vershynina) (b. 01.03.1978)
- Valerii Stupnytskyi (b. 05.04.1973)
- Serhii Chertylin (b. 11.08.1989)
The sanctions include:
- freezing of assets;
- prohibition of media distribution within Ukraine;
- termination of electronic communication services;
- restriction of trade operations;
- revocation of state awards.
The decree pays particular attention to blocking online resources. Internet providers have been instructed to block access to https://spzh.eu/ru/
(already inaccessible in Ukraine) as well as to the organization’s social media channels.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that a court had opened proceedings on its lawsuit seeking to overturn the blocking of its Ukrainian website.
Read also
Sand for construction of Yermak’s residence brought from cemetery, MP says
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said that sand illegally removed from a cemetery in Ukrainka was used in the construction of the elite Dynasty cooperative in Kozyn.
Italian court recognizes family with three parents as legal
In Bari, the appellate court ordered authorities to register an adoption according to which a child is listed as having two "fathers" and one mother.
Archaeologists discover biblical Bethsaida on shore of Sea of Galilee
Researchers have discovered a first-century residential house beneath the apse of a Byzantine church and a mosaic inscription mentioning the Apostle Peter.
Israeli soldiers receive jail terms for mocking statue of the Virgin Mary
Those involved in the act of sacrilege in the village of Debel will spend several weeks behind bars for desecrating a statue of the Mother of God.
Serbian Church officially receives back land of 15th-century monastery
An agreement was signed in Belgrade transferring the territory of the ancient Vojlovica Monastery to the Banat Eparchy.
Pat Daniel comments on conflict between Phanar bishop and community in Turkey
The Bulgarian Primate believes that the hierarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate should not have forced the Bulgarian community in Edirne to serve in Greek.