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
Serbian Patriarch offers condolences over murder of Sviatohirsk Lavra monk
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church called Sviatohirsk Lavra a refuge for the displaced and urged that the monk’s violent death not be turned into anyone’s weapon.
“Never seen before”: Israel reports record number of Hasidim in Uman
According to an Israeli police representative, 52,000 pilgrims are currently in Uman – 10,000 more than last year. The city itself has a population of about 75,000.
UOC faithful hold prayer vigil outside Lavra for more than 1,000 days
For three and a half years, Orthodox Christians have continued praying for peace and for the preservation of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Zelensky congratulates Jews on Rosh Hashanah
Volodymyr Zelensky wished Jews peace and the triumph of good over evil.
Kyiv Theological Academy publishes book on Orthodoxy in 17th-century Ukraine
With the blessing of the UOC Primate, the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary has published a textbook marking the 430th anniversary of the birth of St. Petro Mohyla.