EU sanctions pro-Russian couple in Germany who intimidated Ukrainian children
Photo: Elena Kolbasnikova (Getty Images)
The European Union has imposed sanctions against Olena Kolbasnikova and her husband, Maks Shlund. They openly support Russia's war against Ukraine, Reuters reports.
After the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kolbasnikova and Shlund began organizing pro-Russian rallies in Germany, calling on Berlin to withdraw its military support for Kyiv.
The EU sanctions list states that both Kolbasnikova and Shlund were involved in destabilizing activities. In particular, the woman contributed to violent acts committed by her husband, including the organization of car rallies to intimidate Ukrainian minors seeking asylum in Germany.
The EU also found that the couple maintained close ties with Rossotrudnichestvo, a Russian state agency that promotes Russian culture abroad, and received financial support from it.
At the same time, the bloc imposed sanctions on Andrei Kharkovsky, a Russian citizen living in Germany who is a member of a Kremlin-backed Cossack organization.
The sanctions include a freeze on all assets located in the EU, as well as a ban on entry to the bloc's countries.
On their Telegram channel, Kolbasnikova and Shlund have already complained that the sanctions were imposed on people who "advocate for peace."
Fine for Kolbasnikova
In 2023, a German court fined Elena Kolbasnikova 900 euros.
She was sentenced to this punishment for spreading propaganda that Russia is not an aggressor, but helps to end the war in Ukraine.
