Tit-for-Tat Over Sanctions: Russia Blocks Access to 15 EU Media Outlets

Russia has blocked access to the websites of 15 media organizations from European Union member states, retaliating against what it called politically driven sanctions imposed by Brussels on Russian outlets earlier this year.

In a statement released on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the move was a direct response to the EU’s 16th package of sanctions, adopted in February 2025, which barred eight Russian media outlets — including Lenta, News Front, Eurasia Daily, and Krasnaya Zvezda — from broadcasting in Europe.

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Moscow accused the EU of engaging in censorship under the guise of sanctions. "Brussels and other European capitals were repeatedly warned that their bans and politically motivated repressions against Russian media would not go unanswered," the Foreign Ministry said.

The Kremlin maintains that the targeted European media platforms were “spreading disinformation” and violating Russia’s laws. However, it did not name the 15 blocked outlets.

Labeling the EU's restrictions as violations of international norms on media pluralism and access to information, Russia emphasized that “the responsibility for this escalation lies squarely with the EU and those member states that support these illegitimate actions.”

Russia added that it is open to revising its decision — but only if the EU lifts its own bans on Russian information platforms.

The escalating media war comes amid broader tensions between Moscow and Brussels over the Ukraine conflict, cyber allegations, and competing narratives in the global information space.