The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine have published new data in the “Champions of Terror” section of the War&Sanctions portal, exposing ten russian and Belarusian athletes who visit temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, take part in propaganda events, and yet continue to compete internationally under “neutral” status.

Today’s update includes:

• yelena kirillova (nadel) — the self-proclaimed “Acting Minister of Sports of the Kherson Region,” curator of a federal program organizing joint training camps between athletes from occupied Ukrainian territories and russian athletes at the Krymsky Federal Sports Center. She organizes propaganda sports events aimed at integrating occupied regions into russia’s cultural sphere and legitimizing the invasion of Ukraine.
• alsou minazova — russian canoe slalom athlete who participated in propaganda events alongside russian officials. In 2025, she competed at the Open Championships of Australia and Oceania in Canoe Slalom, holding “neutral” status granted by the International Canoe Federation.
• alina harnasko — Belarusian rhythmic gymnast who took part in the propaganda festival “Time of Our Victories”, held on the orders of the self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. In 2025, she participated in numerous international competitions in Bulgaria, Germany, and Portugal as a “neutral” athlete.
• yana sotiyeva, regina shaidullina, and anastasia romanova — russian weightlifters who took part in training sessions on temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories and were listed on russia’s national team roster for the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships. Following an official appeal from Ukraine, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) barred these athletes — as well as ten other russian and Belarusian representatives — from participation.

This case once again demonstrates that exposing facts and ensuring public awareness have a tangible impact on kremlin collaborators.

The “Champions of Terror” section of the War & Sanctions portal currently contains information on 177 athletes and officials involved in promoting war propaganda.