Zelensky signs decree on new sanctions and announces two important appointments

On January 19, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree imposing new sanctions in accordance with the decision of the National Security Council of Ukraine. Ukraine's sanctions lists have been expanded to include propagandists working for Russia, traitors who have defected to the enemy, and individuals who help the aggressor continue the war against our country.

The president also announced two important appointments related to Ukraine's resistance to full-scale Russian aggression and the strengthening of the Ukrainian army. Zelensky said this in his traditional address to the Ukrainian people.

"I have just signed a decree that gives force to the NSDC decision on sanctions. We are blocking propagandists working for Russia, people who have defected to the enemy, and those who help Russia continue the war. We also continue to deprive people of state awards - only those who truly devote their lives to Ukraine deserve the title of Hero of Ukraine. We are also preparing new sanctions decisions. They will be announced soon," the President emphasized.

Thus, Nestor Shufrych, MP from the banned in Ukraine OPFL party, a specialist in construction, was subjected to 10-year sanctions, which include deprivation of state awards and honors and blocking of assets, Yevhen Horokhov, Doctor of Technology and Vice-Rector of the Donbas National Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture; former Party of Regions MP and collaborator Leonid Baisarov; separatist Oleksandr Odnoralenko, who, like Baisarov, has the title of Hero of Ukraine; and former Party of Regions member Leonid Lytvynov.

In addition, the sanctions targeted such Russian fans from the ranks of OPFL as Yevhen Muraiev, Oleh Voloshyn, former leader of the banned Communist Party of Ukraine Petro Symonenko, Russian oligarch Konstantin Grigorishin, Ukrainian chess player from occupied Simferopol Oleksandr Karyakin, who supported Russian aggression, Ukrainian actress and choirmaster Ruzhena Rubleva, who collaborated with the invaders during the occupation of Kherson, Ukrainian choreographer and collaborator Vadym Pysarev, Russian poet and ardent Putinist Ilya Reznik, and Russian opera singer from Bukovyna Vasily Gerello, who supported Russia's occupation of Crimea and the Kremlin's further aggressive actions.

The sanctions were also imposed on Svetlana Kryukova, editor of the pro-Russian publication Strana banned in Ukraine, Viktor Sadovnichy, a Russian mathematician of Ukrainian origin who signed a letter of scientists to Putin supporting aggression against Ukraine, and Viktor Sadovnichy, a Russian conductor, President of the International Charitable Foundation, which awards the annual Shostakovich Prize, and at the same time an ardent Putinist and Ukrainophobe Yuri Bashmet, as well as former co-chair of the OPFL, MP Yuriy Boyko, who was stripped of the title of Hero of Ukraine.

Zelensky also spoke about recent appointments, including those related to strengthening the Ukrainian army and countering Russian aggression.

First of all, Zelensky has decided on the new head of one of the country's main military universities, the Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy. The new head of this educational institution was selected from five candidates proposed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi and the Commander of the Land Forces Mykhailo Drapaty: Brigadier Generals Serhiy Baranov and Mykhailo Sydorenko, as well as Colonels Yevhen Lasiychuk, Oleksandr Bakulin and Roman Kachur.

Zelensky emphasized that the opinion of the military was decisive: they had the opportunity to express support for the most worthy candidate in a poll in the Army+ app that ended on January 19.

"Colonel Roman Kachur received the most votes. He knows the frontline well, he commanded the 55th separate artillery brigade. I spoke with Colonel Kachur. He has a vision of what to change in military education and specifically in the National Army Academy. I instructed him to present to the public what will change at the Academy, to conduct an audit of the Academy. A full-fledged audit - of how it is financed, how cadets are trained, and who works at the academy. I have instructed Defense Minister Umerov to appoint Colonel Kachur as the head of the academy. We need the highest quality training for our soldiers, our officers and training based on the experience of this war, based on the heroism of Ukrainian soldiers at the front. The Ukrainian army needs tactical leaders. Strong sergeants. Strong lieutenants," the president said, adding that he would sign a decree on Kachur's appointment today.

Zelensky also thanked all the military who took part in the survey and announced the continuation of the practice of involving people in government decision-making, both through the Army+ app and other digital mechanisms.

This appointment is not the only personnel decision on Sunday.

"Brigadier General Hennadiy Shapovalov (head of the Southern Command - Ed.) will work with our partners in Wiesbaden. His task is to coordinate security assistance to Ukraine," Zelensky said.

Earlier in the day, the president summarized the results of Russian terror over the past week. According to Zelensky, during this time, the Defense Forces shot down 33 Russian missiles and 311 attack drones. Another 136 Russian drones, which are used in daily attacks on infrastructure, did not reach their target.

In total, over the past week, Russia attacked Ukraine with about 550 attack drones, about 60 missiles of various types, and used more than 660 aircraft bombs.

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