On January 17, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree putting into effect an NSDC decision to impose sanctions on three individuals and two legal entities.
According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, the sanctions list includes a Russian boxer and fighter who has publicly supported Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine and endorsed the actions of occupying forces. Sanctions were also imposed on the Russian Paralympic Committee and its president, as well as the Russian Federation of Computer Sports and its president.
The Office of the President said these individuals and organizations have used sports platforms to spread anti-Ukrainian narratives and Russian propaganda in an attempt to justify Russia’s military aggression, war crimes and occupation.
The sanctions, introduced ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, are intended to remind the international community that sport cannot be separated from politics. Ukrainian authorities say the sanctioned figures openly support aggression, war crimes and occupation, thereby undermining the principles and values of the Olympic movement.
In a public address, Zelenskyy said he had already approved further sanctions steps, with additional decisions to follow soon. He stressed that pressure on Russia must be maintained and that Ukraine would continue working to synchronize its sanctions with those of international partners.