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:

1. Viktor Vyshnevetsky (b. 08.01.1968)
2. Volodymyr Bobechko (b. 30.08.1973)'
3. Kateryna Zharkykh (b. 10.05.1994)
4. Taras Zabudko (b. 24.02.1977)
5. Oleksiy Zoshchuk (b. 07.05.1983)
6. Ruslan Kalynchuk (b. 05.08.1987)
7. Lev Klymenko (b. 02.03.1999)
8. Mykola Moisiienko (b. 26.05.1983)
9. Andrii Ovcharenko (b. 19.06.1979)
10. Iryna Ovcharenko (Vershynina) (b. 01.03.1978)
11. Valerii Stupnytskyi (b. 05.04.1973)
12. 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.

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