Effective as of 10 and 17 January 2023, Ukraine introduced two sets of personal sanctions targeting 317 individuals, mainly Russian public and media personalities (TV presenters, journalists, artists, singers, bloggers, writers, political scientists, etc.)[1] supporting and justifying the Russian armed aggression against Ukraine.

The Decisions impose extensive sanctions, including asset freeze; prohibition on the transfer of technologies and on the rights to objects of intellectual property rights; ban on trade operations; suspension of the performance of economic and financial obligations; restriction on the exit of capital from Ukraine; prohibition on participation in privatization and lease of state property; ban on securities transactions; cancellation of visas and licenses; entry ban; and deprivation of state awards. Among others, the sanctions affect the following individuals:

The full lists of individuals subject to sanctions are set forth in the annexes to the Decisions. The major aim of this sanctions package is to block distribution in Ukraine of the media content of the sanctioned singers, artists, actors, bloggers and journalists supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine. Any person dealing with the sanctioned individuals or providing access to their content in Ukraine should carefully assess the implications of the new sanctions on their business operations and consider blocking and withdrawing the restricted content from the market.


[1] Presidential Decree No. 4/2023 dated 7 January 2023 “On the Decision of the National Security and Defense Council dated 6 January 2023On Imposing and Amending of Personal Special Economic and other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)”,” effective from 10 January 2023; Presidential Decree No. 23/2023 dated 15 January 2023 “On the Decision of the National Security and Defense Council dated 15 January 2023On Imposing and Amending of Personal Special Economic and other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)”,” effective from 17 January 2023 (“Decisions“).

Author

Hanna Shtepa is a Senior Associate of the Kyiv office of Baker McKenzie specializing in economic sanctions, export controls, international supplies of goods and services, public procurement regulations. She has significant experience on advising clients on supplies to Ukraine, participation in Ukrainian public procurement tenders, special regime of trade and business activities in the Crimea and uncontrolled territories in the East of Ukraine, Ukrainian sanctions restrictions against Russia. Hanna is experienced in drafting and negotiation of supply contracts, including procurement contracts for public needs, trade compliance policies and trade finance agreements. Hanna held a number of training and presentations for Ukrainian banks and corporate clients on compliance with Ukrainian sanctions and special trade regimes with the Crimea and uncontrolled territories in the East of Ukraine. She is one of the contributors to Baker McKenzie sanctions blog.