In tune with the killers: A French radio brand broadcasting in occupied Ukraine is running enlistment ads for the Russian army

RU

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.