Ukraine is preparing to block Russian artists from streaming services due to National Security and Defense Council sanctions: the list already includes about 120 names.

Ukraine is developing a mechanism to block Russian artists from music streaming platforms through the imposition of National Security and Defense Council sanctions. A list of approximately 120 Russian artists has been compiled.

This was reported by the head of the Verkhovna Rada subcommittee on music industry issues and president of the All-Ukrainian Association of Musical Events UAME, Oleksandr Sanchenko, in a commentary to Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, UAME collected the information through an open Google form, after which the list was submitted to the Security Service of Ukraine. The SBU or the Ministry of Culture then submits the materials for review by the National Security and Defense Council. Some artists are already under sanctions, while others are under review.

In parallel, consultations with streaming services regarding the technical implementation of the bans are ongoing. This includes either geoblocking content in Ukraine based on the National Security and Defense Council’s sanctions lists, or complete removal in cases involving propaganda or support for terrorism. A legislative ban based on language was deemed unacceptable given Ukraine’s European integration commitments, so the focus is on personal sanctions.

Information on the first 120 Russian artists is expected to be officially sent to streaming platforms soon. How all services respond to such requests will become clear by March 2026.

Meanwhile, the question of so-called “good Russians” escaping sanctions from the National Security and Defense Council remains open. While the whitelisting mechanism formally exists, not a single artist has taken advantage of it. To do so, they must publicly condemn Russian aggression and appeal to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Regarding Russian-language songs by Ukrainian performers, Sanchenko noted that their number should decrease naturally, provided there is systematic state support for Ukrainian-language music.

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