YouTube permanently removes pro-Russian propagandist Panchenko’s channel amid sanctions and disinformation campaigns
The popular video platform YouTube has recently taken decisive action against Dajana Panchenko, a well-known Ukrainian former TV presenter and active pro-Russian propagandist.
Her channel, which amassed around two million subscribers, was removed following numerous complaints and the application of sanctions by Ukrainian authorities.
This move is part of Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to counter Russian information aggression, which has exploited mainstream platforms to spread disinformation and pro-Kremlin narratives.
Panchenko, who previously worked on channels associated with Viktor Medvedchuk—a politician accused of treason—has been actively promoting anti-Ukrainian rhetoric from Russia since 2022.
She has also traveled to temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories to produce propaganda materials, further fueling disinformation campaigns.
In 2023, Ukraine’s Security Service filed a suspicion of treason against her in absentia, and the National Security and Defense Council imposed sanctions.
Later that year, she published an interview with Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, which drew widespread criticism.
The Strategic Communications Center stated that deleting her channel deprived her of a critical platform and a large audience, significantly weakening her influence.
Ukrainian officials emphasized that any new channels she launches in the future will be subject to blocking to prevent further spread of propaganda.
Several other pro-Kremlin propagandists are also under sanctions, with their channels being regularly blocked in Ukraine, representing a concerted effort to safeguard the country’s informational space.