Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed 10-year sanctions on 10 Ukrainian and Russian nationals accused of spreading Russian propaganda and backing Moscow’s aggression.

The restrictions include asset freezes and complete bans on commercial activities within Ukraine.

The blacklist prominently features Yulia Mendel, Zelenskyy’s former press secretary (2019–2021), who has recently delivered sharp public criticisms of the administration.

Rejecting the decision on social media, Mendel called the move unconstitutional and claimed Zelenskyy weaponizes sanctions against anyone advocating for peace in Ukraine.

The move marks a rare sanctions enforcement against a former presidential insider, following a precedent set in 2025 when Kyiv leveled similar national-security-related sanctions against former president and opposition leader Petro Poroshenko.