Ukraine’s Culture and Strategic Communications Minister, Mykola Tochytskyi, has announced the introduction of personal sanctions against 55 Russian citizens and three museums registered under Russian law that operate in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
That’s according to the ministry’s press service, Ukrinform reports.
The issue concerns the National Security and Defense Council’s decision “On the Application of Personal Special Economic and Other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)” of February 4, 2025, which was enacted by Presidential Decree No. 68/2025.
“The sanctions target activities such as illegal archaeological excavations conducted by Russia in Crimea since 2014, as well as the removal of cultural assets from occupied territories, particularly from Ukrainian museums,” Tochytskyi said.
The personal sanctions include the revocation of Ukrainian state awards, asset freezes, restrictions or full suspension of resource transit, flights, and transportation through Ukraine, the prevention of capital outflows from Ukraine, the suspension of economic and financial obligations, the prohibition of transactions involving securities, among other measures.
These sanctions are part of Ukraine’s comprehensive policy to protect its cultural heritage and counter Russian cultural influence in occupied regions.
Tochytskyi noted that state authorities would monitor the enforcement of these sanctions, including the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the National Bank, and other relevant institutions overseeing sanctions policy.
Source: NSDC sanctions 55 Russian citizens for destroying Ukrainian culture – Tochytskyi
