The Council of the European Union added 34 individuals and 47 entities to its sanctions list on 15 June — including 10 individuals and one entity accused of "spreading disinformation aimed at justifying, promoting or legitimising Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine."
In practice, this means their assets will be frozen, while EU citizens and companies will be forbidden from providing them with funds or financial assets.
At first glance, some of these individuals — such as Russian-American travel influencer Alexandra Jost — may strike observers as unconventional sanction targets.
Jost, who was born in Hong Kong, goes by the name Sasha Meets Russia on social media, where she shares content about Russian traditions and culture, alongside travel vlogs.
Yet, under this seemingly innocent veneer, she inserts pro-Russian propaganda and messaging, with the Council of the European Union stating that she "built an extensive base of followers under the guise of cultural coverage, while focusing on pro-war and pro-Kremlin propaganda with regard to Ukraine, and supporting the Kremlin's political establishment and the Russian armed forces."
