Key facts
- The EU sanctioned 10 individuals and one entity on June 15 for spreading Russian disinformation and justifying the war in Ukraine.
- Targets include Russian-American influencer Alexandra Jost, PR specialist Maria Dudko, and Bishop Tikhon Shevkunov.
- Jost allegedly used her social media presence to promote pro-war and pro-Kremlin messaging.
- Dudko is accused of managing Western influencers who echo Kremlin narratives.
- Shevkunov, a bishop, is accused of spreading pro-Kremlin disinformation and denying Ukraine's sovereignty.
- Sanctions involve asset freezes and a ban on providing funds or financial assets to the sanctioned parties.
The Council of the European Union has expanded its sanctions list, adding 10 individuals and one entity accused of spreading Russian disinformation and engaging in foreign interference. These measures, implemented on June 15, aim to counter hybrid manipulation and justify Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Among the newly sanctioned individuals is Alexandra Jost, a Russian-American travel influencer known on social media as Sasha Meets Russia. Despite presenting herself as a cultural commentator, the EU stated that Jost has cultivated a large following to disseminate pro-war and pro-Kremlin propaganda, supporting Russia's political establishment and armed forces. Her accounts on YouTube and Instagram were previously shut down in March 2025 for spreading disinformation, including claims that Crimea is Russian and that Ukraine is a dictatorship.
Jost, who claims she has never been paid for her views and considers herself a patriot, allegedly produced content while being compensated by TV-Novosti, the entity behind the sanctioned Russian state media outlet Russia Today. In response to the sanctions, Jost questioned the EU's reasoning, stating on X, "Crimea is Russia and soon all of Ukraine will be too. Okay, where is the lie in that?"
Also sanctioned is Maria Dudko, director of the Russian public relations firm 'Limitless.' According to the EU, Dudko operates behind the scenes to manage Western influencers who amplify Kremlin narratives and destabilize Ukraine and its allies by flooding the information space with disinformation. Her organization is reportedly funded by the Russian government through the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives.
Bishop Tikhon Shevkunov, referred to as Putin's 'personal confessor,' was also sanctioned. The Council stated that Shevkunov systematically spreads pro-Kremlin disinformation, including claims of 'Nazism' in Ukraine, denies Ukraine's sovereignty, and justifies Russia's invasion as necessary and divinely sanctioned. He reportedly promotes and enables Russia's military actions through sermons, media platforms, and fundraising for Russian troops.
The sanctions imposed mean that the assets of these individuals and the entity will be frozen, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with funds or financial assets.