Zelenskyy imposes sanctions on 121 Russian commanders, religious ‘propagandists’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday imposed sanctions on 121 Russian commanders for alleged involvement in missile strikes against Ukraine, as well as religious “propagandists,” according to a presidential press service statement.

The list includes commanders of long-range aviation units of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, the statement said, adding that Russia has used more than 4,100 air-launched cruise missiles and aeroballistic missiles against Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.

It also includes commanders of Russia’s navy who “launched strikes from surface ships and submarines carrying Kalibr cruise missiles,” it said.

“Russia has used more than 1,500 missiles of this type in 160 attacks on Ukrainian cities and communities. Commanders on the list were involved in strikes on Kyiv’s thermal power plants, as well as energy infrastructure in the Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Volyn, Mykolaiv and Odesa regions,” the statement added.

Also listed are commanders of missile and artillery units of Russia’s ground forces, which “carried out strikes using ground-launched cruise missiles and Iskander-M ballistic missiles,” launching more than 1,100 such attacks.

“This is one of the first cases where our special services have clearly identified more than 100 specific individuals who directly give orders and carry out missile launches against Ukraine,” said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the president’s sanctions policy adviser.

A separate sanctions package targets nine religious figures – representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and affiliated structures – “who justify Russian aggression and spread Russian propaganda,” the statement said.

Russia has not yet commented on fresh sanctions.