European Union provides sanctions against the Wagner Group and Federal News Agency RIA

The Council of the European Union considers two entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

The Wagner Group is a Russia-based unincorporated private military entity established in 2014. It is led by Dimitriy Utkin and financed by Yevgeniy Prigozhin. The Wagner Group spearheaded the attacks against the Ukrainian towns of Soledar and Bakhmut in January 2023, and it is actively participating in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

RIA FAN is part of the Patriot Media Group, a Russian media organisation whose Board of Trustees is headed by Yevgeniy Prigozhin. RIA FAN is involved in pro-government propaganda and disinformation on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. RIA FAN refers to the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine as a mission to stop ‘Ukrainian Nazis’ and promotes actions undertaken by the Wagner Group.