"Mouthpiece of the Kremlin": GUR of Ukraine included Yakov Kedmi, Israeli citizen and former head of "Nativ", in the list of "part of the Kremlin propaganda machine" for actively supporting Putin's aggression

NAnews presents a detailed overview of a high-profile decision by Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR), which on June 11, 2025, added Israeli citizen Yaakov Kedmi to the “Kremlin Mouthpieces” section on the War&Sanctions platform. This is the first time such a prominent representative of Israeli society has appeared on this list ... Who is Yaakov Kedmi and why is he on the list? Yaakov Kedmi (Kazakov) is a former head of the Israeli intelligence agency "Nativ", a former diplomat with Israel’s Foreign Ministry, and a participant in the Yom Kippur War, where he served alongside future Prime Minister Ehud Barak. In recent years, he has become a regular on Russian state-run talk shows, including appearances on Russia-1, Izvestia FM radio, and Sputnik, where he consistently spreads Kremlin narratives justifying the war, denying Ukrainian statehood, and promoting the so-called “denazification” thesis. According to Ukrainian Intelligence (HUR), Kedmi “spreads Kremlin narratives,” using his Israeli background as a tool to build international trust. “His activities have a clearly defined propagandist nature and aim to delegitimize Ukrainian statehood, support Putin’s policies, and create an international information environment hostile to Ukraine,” the intelligence service stated. "Kremlin Mouthpiece": Ukraine’s HUR included Israeli citizen and former "Nativ" head Yaakov Kedmi in the Kremlin propagandists list for actively supporting Putin's aggression. NAnews Israel news June 13, 2025 Allegations from the Ukrainian side - Consistently justifies Russian aggression against Ukraine; - Denies the existence of Ukrainian statehood; - Promotes the “denazification” thesis; - Claims that “Kharkiv is a Russian city”; - Uses rhetoric that dehumanizes Ukrainians; - Supported the 2022 invasion, calling it “defending Donbas.” In 2022, Kedmi participated in the “First International Anti-Fascist Congress” organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense, where he supported Kremlin ideological narratives. International sanctions and Israeli reaction Since October 2022, Kedmi has been under Ukrainian sanctions. In March 2023, he was added to the sanctions lists of the European Union and Switzerland. According to the EU, Kedmi: - Justified Putin’s war against Ukraine; - Accused Ukrainian authorities of “Nazism”; - Questioned Ukraine’s right to statehood; - Suggested full Russian occupation and elimination of Ukrainian leadership. The sanctions include entry bans, asset freezes, and prohibition of financial transactions in the EU and Switzerland. Reaction in Israel: “Antihero of the Year” The Russian-speaking community in Israel also condemns Kedmi’s actions. Notably, readers of NEWSru.co.il named him “Antihero of the Year” in 2022. Biography: From diplomat to propagandist Born: March 5, 1947, Moscow Repatriated to Israel: 1969 Military service: Yom Kippur War, tank unit with Ehud Barak Career: Head of “Nativ” (1992–1999), Foreign Ministry official Since early 2010s: regular guest on Kremlin propaganda platforms Why this matters for Israelis The website NAnews – Israel News emphasizes that Kedmi’s actions cast a shadow over relations between the Jewish and Ukrainian peoples. This is especially painful for Israelis of Ukrainian origin, who see such participation in Kremlin propaganda as a betrayal of historical memory and democratic values. NAnews – Israel News continues to monitor these cases and expose attempts to use Israeli citizenship for information warfare against Ukraine. Conclusion: A warning signal Israeli journalist Shimon Briman commented on the matter: "Being listed by Ukrainian military intelligence may not change anyone’s official status, but it can serve as a trolley bell warning that 'Annushka has already spilled the oil'... On the other hand, there’s a 'bonus' for ending up on the Kremlin mouthpiece list: for the added risk and disgrace, Moscow may increase the ruble payments." This suggests consequences could follow at any moment — for Kedmi himself and for his reputation in Israel and abroad. Against this backdrop, it is especially important that Israeli society and government clearly define their stance on individuals whose actions contradict the values of democracy, morality, and international law. Full text from War & Sanctions 2025: A former Israeli diplomat, publicist, and propagandist known for his active support of Russia’s foreign policy, including its aggression against Ukraine. His activities have a clearly defined propagandist character and are aimed at supporting Russia's foreign policy, delegitimizing Ukrainian statehood, and shaping an international information environment hostile to Ukraine. Since 2014, Kedmi has regularly appeared on major Russian media platforms – Russia-1 TV, Vesti FM radio, Sputnik platform, Israel’s ITON-TV, and others, where he systematically broadcasts Kremlin narratives justifying the war, denying Ukrainian statehood, and promoting the idea of “denazification.” In public statements, Kedmi uses dehumanizing rhetoric, calls for violence against Ukrainians, and actively promotes the notion that Ukrainian territories belong to Russia, claiming “Kharkiv is a Russian city.” In 2018, he said “Nazis cannot be forgiven” and that “they have no right to live on this land.” In 2022, he publicly supported the full-scale invasion, calling it “protection of Donbas from genocide” and a means of “denazification of Ukraine.” He also spread disinformation about alleged Polish intentions to send troops into Ukraine. He works actively with international audiences, using his Israeli background as a trust-building tool. His commentary is frequently cited in media across the CIS, Serbia, and even in some Western outlets, aiding Kremlin legitimacy in foreign discourse. In 2022, Kedmi participated in the so-called “First International Anti-Fascist Congress” organized by Russia’s Ministry of Defense, publicly supporting core ideological tenets of the Kremlin. Kedmi also claims to have personal ties to Putin dating back to the 1990s. In addition, he regularly takes part in events organized by entities linked to the FSB, particularly the Alpha special forces veterans’ association, where Russian military objectives are openly discussed. https://nikk.agency/en/mouthpiece-of-the/