Russian hybrid threats: EU lists nine individuals and six entities responsible for destabilising actions in the EU and Ukraine 21:30 The Council imposed restrictive measures[...]

The Council today decided to impose additional restrictive measures against nine individuals and six entities responsible for Russia's destabilising actions abroad, including through Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).

The Council is targeting the Federal State-owned Enterprise "Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network" (RTRS), together with its General Director and the Director of the Department for Coordination of Communications Infrastructure Development in New Territories. Under the direction of the relevant Ministry of the Russian Federation, RTRS plays a key role in effectively replacing established Ukrainian broadcasting systems in occupied regions, with a network that transmits content approved by the Russian Government with the aim of suppressing dissent, aligning the local population with Russian policies and delegitimising Ukraine's governance in the occupied territories.

Today's listings also cover the 841st Separate Electronic Warfare Center, and two high ranking members of its staff overseeing operations in the Kaliningrad region. GNSS signal disruptions in several European countries have been linked to electronic warfare activities from Kaliningrad, including jamming and spoofing of GNSS signals, primarily affecting the Baltic States, and disrupting civil aviation.

Furthermore, the EU is targeting the BRICS Journalists Association (BJA), the Foundation to Battle Injustice (R-FBI) and the Center for Geopolitical Expertise (CGE). BJA and R-FBI were created by Yevgeny Prigozhin, and have been involved in numerous FIMI operations targeting France and Ukraine, including a campaign accusing French soldiers of having kidnapped children from Niger after the military coup d'état in 2023, while CGE was founded by Aleksandr Dugin, and is responsible for orchestrating disinformation campaigns targeting Ukrainian interests, discrediting Western political figures, and influencing electoral processes in Western countries.

Lastly, the Council is also listing a GRU officer, various propagandists, and Yevgeny Shevchenko and his web-company Tigerweb. The latter disseminated pro-Russian content targeting several Western countries, including France.

In addition to today's listings, the Council recently imposed restrictive measures on Nathalie Yamb - a social media influencer and outspoken supporter of Russia, who has adopted Moscow's language targeting the West and France in particular with a view to ousting them from the African continent. Yamb has specific ties with AFRIC, an organisation linked to Russian private military companies, and is responsible for supporting the Russian Federation by the use of information manipulation and interference.

Altogether, EU restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities now apply to 47 individuals and 15 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit, is prohibited. In addition, natural persons will also be subject to a travel ban, which will prevent them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

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

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 can also target those responsible for hybrid activities, notably FIMI, against international organisations and third countries.

On 26 June 2025 the European Council adopted conclusions, in which it condemned Russia's continued hybrid campaign, including sabotage, disruption of critical infrastructure, cyber-attacks, foreign information manipulation and interference, and attempts to undermine democracy, including in the electoral process. The European Council underlined that it would make full use of all means available, including the EU hybrid, cyber diplomacy and FIMI toolboxes, to specifically prevent, deter and respond to Russia's hybrid threats.

• Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1443 of 15 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities
• Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1444 of 15 July 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities
• Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 of 8 October 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities (consolidated text dated 26 June 2025)
• European Council conclusions, 26 June 2025
• Timeline - EU sanctions against Russia (Background information)