Ukraine urges countries to restrict or shut down Russian Houses

What Happened

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv has formally addressed governments around the world to restrict or completely shut down Russian Houses, cultural centres operated by Rossotrudnichestvo, which he claimed function as instruments of disinformation, destabilisation and espionage. Sybiha said the centres promote Russian state propaganda and soft power, and that some continue to operate in at least seven European countries.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The move escalates the information and diplomatic front of Russia's war in Ukraine, targeting the institutional network — Rossotrudnichestvo and Russian Houses — that Kyiv says Russia uses for propaganda, political influence and espionage. Germany's closure is a concrete punitive step after the Leipzig Airport incident and could widen a reciprocal diplomatic expulsions cycle between Moscow and European capitals.

Watch For

Monitor whether other European governments follow Ukraine's call and act against Russian Houses, particularly in the at least seven European countries where Sybiha said they still operate. Watch for Russian retaliation beyond the ordered closure of Germany's consulate general in St Petersburg by 18 September, and for any further evidence or attribution tied to the Leipzig Airport hybrid attack.