Kyiv—President Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed sanctions on former press secretary Yuliia Mendel and nine others, accusing them of disseminating Russian propaganda and supporting Moscow’s aggressive actions against Ukraine. The measures, announced in a presidential decree on Sunday, include asset freezes and trade restrictions lasting for 10 years.

Mendel served as Zelensky’s press secretary from 2019 to 2021, before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since last year, she has publicly criticised Zelensky’s administration in various interviews amid a series of corruption allegations involving members of the president’s inner circle. Those accused have denied wrongdoing, and the charges have yet to be tested in court.

In response to the sanctions, Mendel posted a message on Facebook, asserting that imposing such measures on Ukrainian citizens is unconstitutional. She did not address the specific allegations of spreading Russian propaganda or supporting Russia’s policies toward Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government has repeatedly taken action against individuals it accuses of undermining national security or aiding Russian disinformation efforts since the outbreak of the conflict. The latest sanctions form part of the broader campaign to counter activities perceived as hostile to Ukraine’s sovereignty amid ongoing tensions with Russia.