The National Security and Defence Council does not plan to impose sanctions against russian publishing houses

The National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine reported this in response to an information request from Chytomo.

From March 2019 to March 2022, sanctions were imposed on publishers such as Eksmo, AST, Piter, Knizhny Mir, Algoritm, Tsentrpoligraf, Aleteya, Donbass, Argumenty Nedeli, Veche, Simex, and Sunline.

According to Chytomo, in May 2024 and July 2025, the Ukrainian Book Institute (UBI) proposed that the National Security and Defence Council impose sanctions against the Litres brand (the Eksmo-AST publishing group), the Piter publishing house, Eksmo Publishing House LLC, AST Publishing House LLC, and Piter Publishing House LLC for distributing books that justify russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, deny its territorial integrity, or promote russian narratives.

In response to a request from Chytomo, the UIC clarified that it had sent a letter to the SBU. The institute itself is not the administrator of the lists of sanctioned legal entities and does not have the authority to decide on the application of restrictions.

As evidenced by letters dated May 2024 and July 2025, the National Security and Defence Council and its apparatus confirmed receipt of the UIC's appeals, but in accordance with Article 5 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Sanctions,’ the agency considers the application, cancellation, and amendment of sanctions only on the basis of proposals from the Verkhovna Rada, the president, the Cabinet of Ministers, the National Bank, and the SBU.

As a reminder, from May 2024 to May 2025, the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting suspended the sale of approximately 8,500 titles from russia and Belarus on the Prom.ua and Rozetka.ua platforms. Thanks to cooperation with the platform administrations, the prohibited items were removed and official warnings were sent to sellers.

Source: Detector Media