A ballet company affiliated with Russia has distorted itself as a Ukrainian cultural group to visit Sweden in 2023 and 2024, deceive the public and potentially violating the sanctions of the European Union. The investigation was reported for the first time by Swedish Broadcastor SVT.
The company, calling the “Ballet of Ukraine”, has shot at least eight Swedish cities – including Lund, Lerum and Östersund – with performance of the casing. The promotional documents presented Ukrainian national colors and described the troop as presenting “the culture of Kyiv”, which led the public to believe that they supported Ukraine during the current war.
However, the files revealed that the company was recorded in Moscow, and at least half of the 14 listed dancers are working actively in Russia. The tour of the tour would have been transferred to a company with Russian links, the Gutschwald AI Center, recorded in Switzerland but belonging to a former manager of Sberbank.
The performances were organized through actors in the Norwegian event society, who falsely listed a kyiv address and claims to be a Ukrainian organization. The SVT survey revealed that the company operates on Russian servers and belongs to an entity based in Moscow. The organizer, a Russian entrepreneur, refused links with Russia and refused comments.
Lana Roxy, spokesperson for the National Opera of Ukraine, told SVT: “They earn money from our misfortune. These groups exploit the reputation of Ukraine, helping Russia to spread disinformation and to earn money from war. ”
In December 2023, the Swedish authorities had already intervened in a similar case involving another troop, the heritage ballet, which was prohibited after the officials confirmed links with the Russian state.
The situation can violate the sanctions of the European Union imposed in response to the annexation of Russia of Crimea and Aggression in Ukraine. These sanctions include assets freezing and prohibitions on financial transactions involving Russian individuals and entities associated with actions that threaten Ukraine's sovereignty.
Under Swedish law and EU regulations, it is illegal to provide economic funds or resources to people or in entities listed under these sanctions. The transfer of the product from the sale of tickets to a Swiss company linked to Russia could constitute a violation of these rules, according to the parties involved.
In 2022, the Ukraine National Opera warned of such “clones troops” operating abroad under the guise of Ukrainian culture. The question underlines the growing concerns concerning cultural disinformation and the exploitation of sympathy in wartime for Ukraine by Russian interests.
