Zelenskyy sanctions former press secretary Mendel

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has imposed sanctions on Yuliia Mendel, who previously served as his press secretary.

Source: presidential decree of 13 September

Details: Zelenskyy enacted a National Security and Defence Council decision on the imposition of personal sanctions against a number of individuals.

Among them is Yuliia Volodymyrivna Mendel, a 40-year-old Ukrainian citizen.

According to the president's website, Zelenskyy signed three decrees enacting National Security and Defence Council decisions to impose sanctions on vessels in Russia's shadow fleet, companies and individuals linked to the Russian state corporation Rostec, and propagandists who justify Russian aggression.

The sanctions target 20 maritime vessels that Russia uses to export oil, oil products and liquefied gas.

One of the decrees imposes sanctions on 29 Russian citizens and 29 Russian companies, including companies involved in supply chains for high-precision industrial equipment, electronics, and components used in missile and drone production. The restrictions also target companies producing dual-use goods, research organisations developing technical documentation for Russia's military-industrial complex, and an educational institution that trains specialised personnel for companies belonging to the Russian Kalashnikov concern. The sanctions also target companies that design solutions and supply high-tech equipment to Russian military-industrial complex companies, as well as IT companies that develop and maintain software for information encryption, data collection, and database management.

"Another decision imposes restrictions on 10 Russian and Ukrainian individuals who spread disinformation and Russian propaganda and support Russia's aggressive policy towards Ukraine. Yuliia Mendel is among those sanctioned," the president's website said.

Ukraine will transmit all the information to its partners for the synchronisation of sanctions in international jurisdictions.

Background:

• In May 2026, in an interview with notorious former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Mendel claimed that the Ukrainian delegation at the Istanbul talks in spring 2022 was prepared to accept all of Russia's demands to end the war, citing only conversations with unnamed individuals. Among other things, Mendel accused Zelenskyy of money laundering and taking drugs in nightclubs.
• Mendel also claimed that Andrii Yermak, former head of the President's Office, performs magic rituals, including visiting cemeteries and using "dead water".
• She also described Yermak as "a very dangerous person" and said he makes her fear for her life. She spoke in very general terms, referring to "her experience" and "her contacts", but provided no details to substantiate her claims.

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