Zelensky imposes penalties on Arestowicz, Olesk, and a large number of others
Zelensky Slaps Personal Sanctions on a Gang of Critics
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has taken a sharp turn against his critics, initiating the decision of the National Security and Defense Council from May 1, 2025, enforcing personal sanctions on a handful of public figures. among them are former advisor to the head of the President's Office, Alexei Arestovich, known political scientist Konstantin Bondarenko, popular blogger Myroslav Oleško, and others.
According to orders published on the president's website, not only Arestovich, Bondarenko, and Oleško, but seven Ukrainian citizens in total have been placed under sanctions. The list also includes Dmitry Vasilyets, Pavel Onischenko, Alexander Semchenko, Alexander Skubchenko, the Russian propagandists Anastasia Kashireva, and Stanislav Bernwald.
The sanctions haven't stopped there. Orders No. 268 and No. 269 have hit an additional 66 individuals with similar restrictions.
Zelensky's recent actions can be traced back to his decision on April 11, 2025, as he enforced sanctions against Russian propagandists and the "shadow fleet" of the RF.
The Whys and Whats Behind Zelensky's Sanctions
The sanctions declared by President Zelensky aim at curbing anti-Ukrainian activities that justify Russia's aggression. The initiatives target individuals and entities involved in spreading Russian propaganda and obstructing Ukraine's defense strategies[1][3][4]. This move forms part of Ukraine's wider strategy to put pressure on Russia and its accomplices to terminate the protracted conflict.
The Targets of Zelensky's Crackdown
Several high-profile individuals have been hit by the sanctions, such as:- Oleksiy Arestovych: Sanctioned for his role in anti-Ukrainian propaganda and his support of Russia's military campaigns[1][3].- Pavlo Onishchenko: Another addition to the list[1].- Myroslav Oleshko: A fugitive blogger now under sanctions for identical reasons[1][3].- Kostiantyn Bondarenko: A political powerhouse, heading the banned political party Derzhava Vasylets[3][4].- Dmytro Vasylets: Rounding out the list of sanctioned individuals[4].
The sanctions don't single out individuals. Legal entities are under attack too:- Russian military supply chains: Companies implicated in supporting the Russia military's production and activities in captured Ukrainian territories.- Novatek Group: A significant player in Russia's liquefied natural gas production and export[1][3].
Overall, these sanctions show Ukraine's attempts to combat domestic and international support for Russian aggression and alignment with international allies in pressuring Russia[1][2][3].
- The sanctions enforced by President Zelensky of Ukraine aim to curb anti-Ukrainian activities and obstruct Russia's aggression, targeting individuals and entities involved in spreading Russian propaganda and hindering Ukraine's defense strategies.
- Among those hit by the sanctions are Stanislav, a publicly known figure, and Anastasia Kashireva, identified as Russian propagandists, as announced in the list published on the president's website.
- The sanctions also extend to policy-and-legislation and general news, with the Russian military supply chains and the Novatek Group being among the targeted legal entities implicated in supporting Russian military activities in captured Ukrainian territories and Russia's liquefied natural gas production and export.
- The sanctions policy-and-legislation, initiated as early as April 11, 2025, form part of Ukraine's broader political strategy to exert pressure on Russia and its accomplices, with the goal of terminating the protracted conflict.
