Ukraine sanctions Wagner-affiated entities, Russian Olympic Committee and Red Cross (updated)

The Ukrainian government has imposed new sanctions against Russian citizens supporting Russia's war against Ukraine. The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed three relevant decisions of the National Security and Defense Council on 26 February. "I signed three decrees to implement the decisions of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. Against those Russians who are involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children. Against those representatives of the Russian sports sector who are trying to put sports in the service of aggression. And against those who help maintain mercenary structures in Russia for the war against Ukraine and all free people," Zelenskyy informed in his daily televised address to the Ukrainian nation. The first decree (No. 114/2023) introduced sanctions against four Russian athletes: Yelena Isimbayeva, an athlete and Olympic champion; Alexandr Popov, swimmer and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC); Vitaly Smirnov, President of the Russian Olympic Committee; and Shamil Tarpishchev, President of the Russian Tennis Federation and member of the IOC. The second decree (No. 115/2023) introduced sanctions against 109 citizens of the Russian Federation and seven legal entities registered there. The latter include Golfstrim (Gulfstream), a charitable foundation helping people in difficult circumstances; People’s Front For Russia; Russian Humanitarian Mission; Russian Red Cross; and Home for Mama. The third decree (No. 116/2023) introduced sanctions against 164 individuals and 85 legal entities. These include sanctions against the companies of Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, as well as persons and structures associated with this businessman. According to the decree, Concord M, Concord Management and Consulting, Combinat Catering, and PMC Wagner Center are under Ukrainian sanctions. As well, Dmitry Utkin (the founder of the Wagner private military campaign), two daughters of President Vladimir Putin's associate Yevgeny Prigozhin (financier of the Wagner PMC) - Veronika and Polina. Yekaterina Prigozhina is also on the sanctions list. Ukraine has called to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing at the Olympic games under the white flag. The call is supported by 35 countries. Russia has deported between 260,000 and nearly 700,000 minors from Ukraine, according to a report by human rights activists. The majority of them were relocated with their legal guardians. The Russian Red Cross has come under fire for joining the Russian state MyVmeste home front campaign, in which it collected humanitarian aid for families of Russian soldiers, and even drones and military gear for them. The Ukrainian Red Cross had called upon the International Red Cross to take measures against its Russian branch, to no avail.

Red Cross Russia office collects military gear for Russian Army, violating principle of neutrality

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