Sanctions for Russian propaganda: Ukraine has punished participants in the Venice Biennale
10 April 13:51
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree enacting a decision by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to impose sanctions on five Russian cultural figures who justify Russia’s aggression and spread Russian propaganda on international platforms. These are individuals linked to the aggressor state’s participation in the 61st Venice Biennale. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the Office of the President
The decision was formalized by Presidential Decree No. 305/2026 of April 9, 2026. The document takes effect on the day of its publication.
Who Ukraine has added to the sanctions list
Five citizens of the Russian Federation have been added to the sanctions list:
- Anastasia Karneeva,
- Mikhail Shvidkoy,
- Artem Nikolaev,
- Ilya Tatakov
- Valeria Oliinyk.
These are the names listed in the appendix to the NSDC decision on the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures.
Among them is Anastasia Karneeva, the daughter of the sanctioned deputy general director of Rostec, who has been the commissioner of the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale since 2021 and is set to represent Russia there this year.
Also subject to sanctions is Mikhail Shvidkoy, the Russian leader’s special representative for international cultural cooperation, who publicly calls Russia’s war against Ukraine an “important historical moment” and promotes the notion that Russia’s participation in the Venice Biennale allegedly proves the absence of isolation of Russian culture.
In addition, sanctions have been imposed on those who will participate in this year’s Venice Biennale on behalf of the aggressor state: violinist Valeria Oliinyk, singer Ilya Tatakov, and vocalist Artem Nikolaev.
According to available information, Valeria Oliinyk has repeatedly visited the temporarily occupied Crimea since 2014 to support Russian aggression; Ilya Tatakov participated in the creation of a propaganda film in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk Oblast to promote the ideas of the “Russian World,” and Artem Nikolaev took part in propaganda events in Crimea.
Why the sanctions were imposed right now
Ukraine emphasizes that Russia’s participation in the Venice Biennale is not about culture, but about using international cultural platforms to legitimize aggression and promote propaganda.
This was the point emphasized by Vladislav Vlasyuk, the President’s Advisor on Sanctions Policy. According to him, a person either opposes the Russian regime and has access to the cultural space of the free world, or serves Russian propaganda, faces sanctions, and participates in the propaganda space of the aggressor country.
What sanctions were imposed
A broad package of personal, special economic, and other restrictive measures has been applied to all five individuals. These include:
- asset freezes;
- complete cessation of trade operations;
- complete cessation of transit of resources, flights, and transportation through Ukrainian territory;
- prevention of capital outflows from Ukraine;
- suspension of the fulfillment of economic and financial obligations;
- prohibition on participation in the privatization and lease of state property;
- a ban on public and defense procurement;
- a complete ban on the entry of ships and aircraft;
- a complete ban on transactions involving securities;
- suspension of cultural exchanges, scientific cooperation, and educational and sports contacts;
- cancellation of visas and a ban on entry into Ukraine;
- cancellation of official visits and negotiations;
- a ban on the acquisition of land plots.
For these individuals, sanctions are set to be either indefinite or for a period of ten years, depending on the specific type of restriction.
What Zelenskyy’s decree entails
Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 305/2026 enacts the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) dated April 9, 2026, “On the Application of Personal Special Economic and Other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions).”
The document also stipulates that oversight of the decision’s implementation rests with the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Separately, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Bank of Ukraine, and the Commission on State Awards and Heraldry are tasked with ensuring the implementation and monitoring of the effectiveness of the sanctions.
What the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Will Do
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has been tasked with informing the competent authorities of the European Union, the United States of America, and other states about the sanctions imposed and raising the issue of introducing similar restrictive measures with them.
This means that Ukraine is counting not only on domestic sanctions but also on coordinating sanctions pressure with international partners.
Why the topic of culture and propaganda is particularly important right now
This is not the first time Ukraine has stated that Russia uses the cultural sphere as a tool for political influence, normalizing aggression, and promoting narratives favorable to the Kremlin. Kyiv views the participation of representatives of the aggressor state in international cultural events not as a neutral cultural presence, but as part of a broader propaganda strategy.
That is precisely why sanctions against cultural figures who openly or covertly work in the Kremlin’s interests are becoming part of Ukraine’s overall sanctions policy.
