Investigations
The French broadcasting group NRJ has launched a radio station in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. Alongside pop music, the station airs messages urging listeners to join the ranks of the Russian military and take part in Putin’s “special military operation.” NRJ has not been sanctioned, and it continues to broadcast freely across the rest of Ukraine.
In January 2024, NRJ (ENERGY) Russia began broadcasting in occupied Donetsk, mixing international pop hits with propaganda content. Among the commercials aired is a call to enlist in the Russian army — “Join your own” (“Prisoedinyaysya k SVOim”) — followed by a URL and a hotline number one can use to sign up.
The NRJ (ENERGY) international brand is owned by the French company NRJ Group, which operates radio stations worldwide, both directly and through licensing agreements. In Russia, the brand is licensed to GPM Radio («ГПМ Радио») — a subsidiary of Gazprom-Media Holding.
NRJ also broadcasts in Ukraine, where the franchise rights are held by Kyiv-based media group Evolutions. However, Ukraine is notably absent from NRJ Group’s international broadcasting map.
“SVO” is a Russian abbreviation for “special military operation” — the Kremlin’s official euphemism for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022. The phrase “Prisoedinyaysia k SVOim” («Присоединяйся к СВОим») is a play on words — combining “SVO” and “svoim” (meaning “your own people”) — and is used in military recruitment campaigns to encourage Russians to enlist in the armed forces. The website mentioned in the ads (службапоконтракту.рф) is a Russian government portal for signing military service contracts.
Gazprom-Media Holding
Gazprom-Media Holding is Russia's largest media conglomerate, established in 1998 as a subsidiary of Gazprom, the state-owned energy giant. The holding encompasses a vast array of media assets, including over 38 television channels, 10 radio stations, multiple internet platforms, and several publishing houses. Notable properties under its umbrella include the NTV television network, the TNT entertainment channel, and the NTV Plus satellite television operator. The EU Council has described Gazprom-Media as a “holding of several media outlets that spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda and justify Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Individuals within Gazprom-Media's leadership have openly supported Russia's military actions. Tina Kandelaki, a prominent Russian propagandist and Gazprom-Media’s deputy CEO, has publicly endorsed the war against Ukraine. Kandelaki has been sanctioned by the U.S., EU, Canada, and Australia.
The broadcast of NTV, as well as its YouTube and Telegram channels have been banned across dozens of countries in an effort to slow the spread of Kremlin propaganda.
Between late 2020 and early 2021, LLC “Energiya” (ООО «ЭНЕРГИЯ»; now GPM Radio) signed a licensing agreement with France’s NRJ Group worth €1.25 million, valid through Dec. 31, 2025. Under the contract, annual lump-sum payments are required.
“SVO” is a Russian abbreviation for “special military operation” — the Kremlin’s official euphemism for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022. The phrase “Prisoedinyaysia k SVOim” («Присоединяйся к СВОим») is a play on words — combining “SVO” and “svoim” (meaning “your own people”) — and is used in military recruitment campaigns to encourage Russians to enlist in the armed forces. The website mentioned in the ads (службапоконтракту.рф) is a Russian government portal for signing military service contracts.
Gazprom-Media Holding
Gazprom-Media Holding is Russia's largest media conglomerate, established in 1998 as a subsidiary of Gazprom, the state-owned energy giant. The holding encompasses a vast array of media assets, including over 38 television channels, 10 radio stations, multiple internet platforms, and several publishing houses. Notable properties under its umbrella include the NTV television network, the TNT entertainment channel, and the NTV Plus satellite television operator. The EU Council has described Gazprom-Media as a “holding of several media outlets that spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda and justify Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Individuals within Gazprom-Media's leadership have openly supported Russia's military actions. Tina Kandelaki, a prominent Russian propagandist and Gazprom-Media’s deputy CEO, has publicly endorsed the war against Ukraine. Kandelaki has been sanctioned by the U.S., EU, Canada, and Australia.
The broadcast of NTV, as well as its YouTube and Telegram channels have been banned across dozens of countries in an effort to slow the spread of Kremlin propaganda.
A paragraph from LLC Energiya's licensing agreement with France’s NRJ Group confirming the €1.25 million payout.
In January 2024, NRJ installed a 1 kW transmitter in occupied Donetsk, enabling broadcasts with a range of 30–50 kilometers.
Over a backdrop of pop music from artists like Lady Gaga and Ed Sheeran, NRJ Russia promotes enlistment in the Russian military, thereby aiding the occupation of internationally recognized Ukrainian territory.
“SVO” is a Russian abbreviation for “special military operation” — the Kremlin’s official euphemism for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022. The phrase “Prisoedinyaysia k SVOim” («Присоединяйся к СВОим») is a play on words — combining “SVO” and “svoim” (meaning “your own people”) — and is used in military recruitment campaigns to encourage Russians to enlist in the armed forces. The website mentioned in the ads (службапоконтракту.рф) is a Russian government portal for signing military service contracts.
Gazprom-Media Holding
Gazprom-Media Holding is Russia's largest media conglomerate, established in 1998 as a subsidiary of Gazprom, the state-owned energy giant. The holding encompasses a vast array of media assets, including over 38 television channels, 10 radio stations, multiple internet platforms, and several publishing houses. Notable properties under its umbrella include the NTV television network, the TNT entertainment channel, and the NTV Plus satellite television operator. The EU Council has described Gazprom-Media as a “holding of several media outlets that spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda and justify Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Individuals within Gazprom-Media's leadership have openly supported Russia's military actions. Tina Kandelaki, a prominent Russian propagandist and Gazprom-Media’s deputy CEO, has publicly endorsed the war against Ukraine. Kandelaki has been sanctioned by the U.S., EU, Canada, and Australia.
The broadcast of NTV, as well as its YouTube and Telegram channels have been banned across dozens of countries in an effort to slow the spread of Kremlin propaganda.
Ironically, NRJ Group’s 2023 annual report emphasizes its support for Ukraine. One of its stations, Rire & Chansons, hosted a charity event in Paris titled “En cœur pour l’Ukraine.” Proceeds were donated to Doc4Ukraine — a nonprofit aiding Ukrainian hospitals, orphanages, and nursing homes located in active conflict zones.
“SVO” is a Russian abbreviation for “special military operation” — the Kremlin’s official euphemism for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022. The phrase “Prisoedinyaysia k SVOim” («Присоединяйся к СВОим») is a play on words — combining “SVO” and “svoim” (meaning “your own people”) — and is used in military recruitment campaigns to encourage Russians to enlist in the armed forces. The website mentioned in the ads (службапоконтракту.рф) is a Russian government portal for signing military service contracts.
Gazprom-Media Holding
Gazprom-Media Holding is Russia's largest media conglomerate, established in 1998 as a subsidiary of Gazprom, the state-owned energy giant. The holding encompasses a vast array of media assets, including over 38 television channels, 10 radio stations, multiple internet platforms, and several publishing houses. Notable properties under its umbrella include the NTV television network, the TNT entertainment channel, and the NTV Plus satellite television operator. The EU Council has described Gazprom-Media as a “holding of several media outlets that spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda and justify Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Individuals within Gazprom-Media's leadership have openly supported Russia's military actions. Tina Kandelaki, a prominent Russian propagandist and Gazprom-Media’s deputy CEO, has publicly endorsed the war against Ukraine. Kandelaki has been sanctioned by the U.S., EU, Canada, and Australia.
The broadcast of NTV, as well as its YouTube and Telegram channels have been banned across dozens of countries in an effort to slow the spread of Kremlin propaganda.
A paragraph from page 115 of NRJ Group's 2023 report mentioning the “En cœur pour l’Ukraine” charity event.
Despite this public support for Ukraine, NRJ Russia continues to receive official jingles and voice drops from NRJ Group, even as it promotes military recruitment on-air.
The Insider and Initiative FoReDi submitted inquiries to France’s audiovisual and digital communications regulator ARCOM and NRJ Group, questioning the legality and ethics of licensing NRJ content to GPM Radio. At the time of publication, no response had been received.
With contributions from Sergei Ezhov.
“SVO” is a Russian abbreviation for “special military operation” — the Kremlin’s official euphemism for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022. The phrase “Prisoedinyaysia k SVOim” («Присоединяйся к СВОим») is a play on words — combining “SVO” and “svoim” (meaning “your own people”) — and is used in military recruitment campaigns to encourage Russians to enlist in the armed forces. The website mentioned in the ads (службапоконтракту.рф) is a Russian government portal for signing military service contracts.
Gazprom-Media Holding
Gazprom-Media Holding is Russia's largest media conglomerate, established in 1998 as a subsidiary of Gazprom, the state-owned energy giant. The holding encompasses a vast array of media assets, including over 38 television channels, 10 radio stations, multiple internet platforms, and several publishing houses. Notable properties under its umbrella include the NTV television network, the TNT entertainment channel, and the NTV Plus satellite television operator. The EU Council has described Gazprom-Media as a “holding of several media outlets that spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda and justify Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Individuals within Gazprom-Media's leadership have openly supported Russia's military actions. Tina Kandelaki, a prominent Russian propagandist and Gazprom-Media’s deputy CEO, has publicly endorsed the war against Ukraine. Kandelaki has been sanctioned by the U.S., EU, Canada, and Australia.
The broadcast of NTV, as well as its YouTube and Telegram channels have been banned across dozens of countries in an effort to slow the spread of Kremlin propaganda.