Russian hybrid threats: four individuals added to EU sanctions list for information manipulation activities 11:48 The Council adopted additional restrictive measures against[...]

The Council today decided to adopt restrictive measures against an additional four individuals responsible for Russia's continued hybrid activities, in particular Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) against the EU and its member states and partners.

The Council is listing today Russian propagandist Sergey Klyuchenkov, who has played an active role in spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation aimed at justifying Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. In his TV and radio shows he has repeatedly called for further violence in Ukraine, including against civilians. In addition, he has called for de-Ukrainisation of occupied territories, the occupation of Baltic states and suggested retaliatory strikes against countries which support Ukraine, including the US, Türkiye, Germany, France, and the UK.

The new listings also include the Lithuanian-born Russian news anchor Ernest Mackevičius who, as host of the evening news programme on the Russian state television, has regularly spread false narratives about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Ukraine itself and its armed forces.

Lastly, the Council is also imposing restrictive measures on propagandist Graham Phillips, and media figure Adrien Bocquet of British origin and French, respectively.

Graham Phillips has played an active role in justifying Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine through disinformation and propaganda, regularly filming content in Russian-occupied areas, including interviews with captured British fighters, and writing propaganda articles about Russia's occupied territories of Ukraine. Adrien Bocquet has repeatedly positioned himself as an amplifier of Kremlin propaganda in Europe and in Russia through appearances at symbolic conflict sites, interviews with Russian television, publications on his X account and contributions to Kremlin-funded outlets.

Through their activities the designated individuals are responsible for supporting the actions and policies of the Russian government, which undermine democracy, the rule of law, stability, and security in the European Union and Ukraine.

With today's decision, restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities now apply to a total of 69 individuals and 17 entities. Those listed are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them. Natural persons also face a travel ban that prohibits them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Background

The framework for restrictive measures in response to Russia's destabilising actions was set up on 8 October 2024 to target those engaged in actions and policies by the government of the Russian Federation, which undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity. The sanctions regime targets also those responsible for Russia's hybrid activities against third countries and international organisations.

A statement of the High Representative on behalf of the EU from 18 July 2025 strongly condemned persistent malicious activities posed by Russia, which form part of broader, coordinated, and long-standing hybrid campaigns aimed at threatening and undermining the security, resilience and democratic foundations of the EU, its member states and its partners. The High Representative stressed that Russian malicious activities have further escalated since the beginning of the war of aggression against Ukraine and are highly likely to persist in the foreseeable future.

On 18 December 2025, the European Council adopted conclusions in which it strongly condemned all recent hybrid attacks against the Union and its Member States.

The EU and its member states will continue to draw on the full range of tools available to protect, prevent, deter from and respond to such malicious behaviour.

• Council conclusions on advancing the European Union's capacity to counter hybrid threats
• Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities (consolidated text dated 29 January December 2026)
• European Council conclusions of 18 December 2025
• Hybrid threats / Russia: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU condemning Russia's persistent hybrid campaigns against the EU, its Member States and partners (press release, 18 July 2025)
• Russia's hybrid activities: EU sanctions (background information)