Putin awards 17 employees of state TV network sanctioned for spreading Kremlin propaganda in occupied Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has bestowed the Order of Honor upon 17 employees of the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network (RTRS) due to their role in spreading Kremlin propaganda in Ukraine's occupied territories. The European Union had previously sanctioned RTRS for disseminating Russian propaganda within Ukraine.

Among the recipients are Andrey Khromov, the director of the RTRS treasury; Mikhail Nebolsin, the deputy CEO; and Dmitry Nazarov, the director of the Moscow Regional Center. Viktor Potanin, the director of the information support department, was honored with the Order of Friendship. Ten employees received medals of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, First and Second Class, while three were granted honorary titles.

Notable honorees include Almaz Suleimanov, the director of the department for mobilization training and civil defense; Tatyana Manets, the chief accountant; and Margarita Sukhanova, the deputy CEO. The EU's sanctions against RTRS also involved personal restrictions on CEO Andrey Romanchenko and Vladimir Naidenov, who oversees communications infrastructure development in the occupied territories.

RTRS played a significant role in replacing Ukrainian television broadcasting systems with networks transmitting content approved by Russian authorities. The EU asserts that Russian authorities aim to suppress dissent, spread Russian narratives, and limit residents' access to independent information sources. This isn't the first time Putin has recognized RTRS employees for their efforts.

In 2020, 300 team members were commended for aiding Russia's transition to digital television broadcasting, and in 2026, on RTRS's 25th anniversary, Putin awarded the Order of Honor to the entire staff.