Ukraine imposes sanctions on 10 Russian Paralympic athletes
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine has imposed sanctions on Russian Paralympians who took part in the war. Another package of restrictions targets Russian and Iranian companies and individuals supporting the military-industrial complex of the aggressor state, according to the relevant decrees of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The sanctions target 10 Russian Paralympians, all of whom participated in Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.
These athletes spread Russian propaganda and use sporting events as a platform to whitewash Russian crimes and the occupation.
The military-industrial complex sanctions package includes 130 individuals and 48 legal entities.
Among them is a company involved in supplying components for the production of the Kometa satellite navigation systems, which are used in Russian drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, guided munitions, and aircraft that Russia uses to strike Ukrainian cities and communities.
The list also includes enterprises involved in the production of the Oreshnik missile system.
Additionally, Iranian companies and individuals involved in manufacturing Iranian drones and missiles used not only against Ukraine but also in the Middle East against Gulf countries were included.
These legal and natural persons helped Russia launch, expand, and scale up the production of Shahed drones in Russia.
Sanctions also target Iranian instructors who trained Russian Shahed operators, who then attacked Ukrainian cities and energy facilities.
Russian athletes fighting against Ukraine
Recently, Ukrainian intelligence and partners exposed a large-scale scheme to legitimize Russian military personnel within the international Paralympic movement.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Center for Countering Disinformation, published data on Russian athletes who entered Paralympic sports as part of rehabilitation programs for participants in the so-called special military operation.
Dozens of occupiers who took part in the assault on Kyiv and the battles in Avdiivka and Popasna are now officially listed on the sports teams of the aggressor state.
Effectively, Russia is trying to legitimize former combatants injured during the war against Ukraine by integrating them into the global sports community.
Recently, Ukrainian intelligence also released data on six Russian Paralympians who directly participated in the war against Ukraine.
