"Natalia Sudliankova is a key collaborator of the Russian military intelligence service GRU. The activities of this influence agent Sudliankova were financed directly from Russia. In recent years, she has been paid tens of thousands of euros in cryptocurrencies," Minister Lipavsky said at the press conference.

Under the instructions of her commanding officer, Shavrov, the influence agent worked covertly for the benefit of several Russian organisations. In addition to the GRU, these included the Russian state-funded Fund for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad, and the Immortal Regiment of Russia. On the instructions of a GRU officer, the agent arranged for several articles to be published in the Czech media.

"Both Natallia Sudliankova and Alexey Shavrov pose a risk or even a threat to the security of the Czech Republic. Sanctions are undoubtedly needed. I thank the BIS, which uncovered the case, documented it and prepared supporting documents," the Czech diplomatic chief further said.

Both sanctioned persons have had their assets frozen and will be denied entry into the country. Any circumvention or facilitation of such sanctions constitutes a criminal offence. In accordance with the Czech sanctions law, the government has proposed that these entities also be included on the EU sanctions list.