Brussels: The Council of the European Union has announced sanctions targeting nine individuals and six entities deemed responsible for destabilising actions within the EU and Ukraine. This decision highlights ongoing concerns over hybrid threats attributed to Russian entities and individuals.
According to European Union sources, the Federal State-owned Enterprise “Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network” (RTRS) is among those targeted. RTRS, along with its General Director and the Director of the Department for Coordination of Communications Infrastructure Development in New Territories, has been identified as playing a crucial role in displacing Ukrainian broadcasting systems in occupied areas. These actions facilitate the transmission of content approved by the Russian Government, aiming to suppress dissent and align the local population with Russian policies.
The sanctions also encompass the 841st Separate Electronic Warfare Center, along with two senior staff members overseeing operations in the Kaliningrad region. Activities from this center have been linked to GNSS signal disruptions across several European countries, including jamming and spoofing, which have notably impacted the Baltic States and disrupted civil aviation.
Further entities targeted include the BRICS Journalists Association (BJA), the Foundation to Battle Injustice (R-FBI), and the Center for Geopolitical Expertise (CGE). BJA and R-FBI, established by Yevgeny Prigozhin, have conducted foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) operations, notably against France and Ukraine. This includes campaigns accusing French soldiers of kidnapping children from Niger following a military coup. Meanwhile, CGE, founded by Aleksandr Dugin, has orchestrated disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting Ukrainian interests and influencing electoral processes in Western countries.
The sanctions framework was established on 8 October 2024, aiming to address actions undermining the EU’s fundamental values, security, and integrity. It targets those engaged in hybrid activities, particularly FIMI, against international organizations and third countries.
On 26 June 2025, the European Council adopted conclusions condemning Russia’s continued hybrid campaigns, including sabotage, critical infrastructure disruptions, cyber-attacks, and attempts to undermine democratic processes. The Council emphasized its commitment to employing all available tools, including hybrid, cyber diplomacy, and FIMI toolboxes, to counter and respond to these hybrid threats effectively.