The European Union has imposed sanctions on Xenia Fedorova, the former president and director of information at RT France, accusing her of engaging in foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) that undermines democracy and stability in the bloc.
The Council of the EU adopted restrictive measures against Fedorova on 24 September 2026. Her assets in the EU are now frozen, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds or economic resources available to her.
According to the Council, Fedorova “participated in the implementation and dissemination of RT France’s editorial line, including pro-Russian narratives in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine” . Following the suspension of RT’s broadcasting activities in the EU, she continued to appear on French media outlets – including CNews, Europe 1, and Le JDNews-promoting narratives aligned with Russian authorities on the war, European support for Ukraine, and NATO.
The sanctions bring the total number of individuals targeted under the EU’s framework for Russia’s destabilising activities to 81 individuals and 20 entities.
Fedorova led RT France, the French-language branch of the Kremlin-funded broadcaster, until it shut down in 2023 following EU sanctions on the network . France ordered her expulsion in July 2026, describing her as “a conduit for disinformation campaigns orchestrated by the Russian authorities”.
