Zelenskyy Targets Russian Aggressors

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has officially enacted sanctions against more than 120 Russian military commanders and several religious figures, intensifying efforts to penalize those directly involved in orchestrating missile attacks on Ukrainian soil. The sanctions, which were signed on April 17, 2026, were based on the recommendations of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.

The sanctioned individuals include commanders from three major branches of the Russian military: aerospace, naval, and ground forces. These commanders have been implicated in numerous attacks that have resulted in civilian casualties and significant destruction across Ukraine. Notably, aerospace commanders were responsible for the attack on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital and other critical infrastructure, while naval commanders facilitated strikes from both surface ships and submarines.

In addition to military personnel, the sanctions list also names nine religious leaders associated with the Russian Orthodox Church. These individuals have been accused of publicly supporting the Kremlin’s military actions in Ukraine, promoting anti-Ukrainian sentiment, and using their religious influence to justify the invasion. This move marks a significant step in addressing not only the physical but also the ideological components of the conflict.

Advisor – Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, remarked on the importance of these sanctions, emphasizing the role of identified individuals in perpetrating acts of terror against Ukraine. The Ukrainian government plans to collaborate with international partners to ensure the effective implementation of these sanctions globally. For further details, visit the official presidential website.