The European Union has added VK, which owns the social networks "VKontakte", "Odnoklassniki" and other domestic digital services, to its sanctions list. At the same time, restrictions were imposed against the legal entity of the national messenger "Max". VK itself stated that the sanctions would not affect the operation of its services.

The EU Council claims that VK is the parent company of OOO "Kommunikatsionnaya platforma", which developed "Max".

EU documents state that restrictions have also been imposed against the national messenger. However, at the beginning of 2026, the company changed its name to OOO "Max". 

Who else was sanctioned

The European Union imposed restrictions against Elena Bagudina, whom the EU considers to be the CEO of OOO "Kommunikatsionnaya platforma". However, according to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Farit Khusnoyarov is the CEO of this legal entity, which was renamed OOO "Max" at the beginning of the year.

EU sanctions provide for asset freezes for companies if such assets are found in Europe. For individuals, the restrictions also include a ban on entry into EU countries.

What VK said

After the publication of the sanctions list, VK commented on the situation. The company noted that nothing would change for users.