YouTube has completely blocked several channels belonging to sanctioned individuals, including Oleksandr Shelest and Vadym Karasiv, creating a serious precedent in counteracting information aggression
According to the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council, the video hosting platform decided to remove three more resources that spread so-called narratives close to Russian propaganda and correlated with the positions of Russian information tools. Specifically, these are Ukraine-based channels "SHELEST.Acents" and "SHELEST," hosted by Ukrainian journalist Oleksandr Shelest. It should be noted that he was previously associated with the NewsOne TV channel, which was subjected to sanctions due to its financial and informational support for pro-Russian forces. The channel itself was considered one of the centers of pro-Russian propaganda, as it was owned by Viktor Medvedchuk and was closely connected with oligarch Yevhen Muraiev, whom the Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv authorities accused of state treason and undermining Ukraine’s national security. In addition, the Reddit channel "Govorит i dokazyvaet Vadym Karasiv" has been blocked, which was renamed "POLITIKUM" after sanctions. The host of this resource was Vadym Karasiv — a well-known Ukrainian political scientist and a regular guest on sanctioned TV channels. His ideological position and support for information narratives directed against Ukrainian statehood became grounds for sanctions. The Strategic Communications Council reminds that both of these hosts were included in the sanctions lists in accordance with the Ukrainian president’s decree of April 11, 2025, which entails asset blocking and prohibition of disseminating their informational materials within the country and abroad. Overall, the anti-propaganda measures undertaken by YouTube signal the firm intention of the Ukrainian authorities and information security structures to combat the spread of pro-Russian content, especially in the context of active hybrid warfare. Blocking these channels fully aligns with the strategy of neutralizing informational threats and stabilizing the media situation. At the same time, these actions evoke various reactions — from expressed support in the fight against disinformation to accusations of censorship and restrictions on freedom of speech, which adds complexity to balancing security concerns with democratic values.