In response to a media article suggesting that information shared via Europol may have been linked to subsequent security measures (including entry bans) in the Schengen Information System (SIS) concerning former Ukrainian prisoners held in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, Europol published a fact check on 20 February 2026: It details the exchange of information between the agency and national law enforcement authorities. Europol pointed out that, while national authorities can use the agency's Secure Information Exchange Network Application (SIENA) to share the personal data of suspects with Europol and each other, Europol itself cannot enter names into the SIS. Although non-EU countries may request Europol to facilitate the entry of so-called "information alerts" into the SIS by EU Member States, this is not yet a possibility due to ongoing technical implementation.

Europol only processes information in SIENA related to criminal activities that fall within its remit. The agency emphasised that national authorities independently decide how to use criminal intelligence shared by partner countries and that EU Member States and non-EU partners, including Ukraine, can exchange operational information via SIENA without Europol’s involvement.