The Council of Ministers decided today to add the Wagner group and RIA FAN to the list of entities subject to EU restrictive measures for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Today’s decision completes the “Wagner package” approved on February 25 and underlines the international dimension and seriousness of its activities, as well as its destabilizing impact in the countries where it operates.

The Wagner Group – already subject to EU sanctions under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime – is a Russian-based private military entity founded in 2014, led by Dmitry Utkin and financed by Yevgeny Prigozhin. The Wagner group is actively involved in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and spearheaded the attacks against the Ukrainian cities of Solendar and Bakhmut.

RIA FAN news agency is part of Patriot Media Group, a Russian media organization whose Board of Directors is headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin. The news agency is engaging in pro-government propaganda and disinformation about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In total, EU restrictive measures in relation to actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to a total of 1,473 individuals and 207 entities. Those on the sanctions list are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from holding funds in them.