UK Sanctions Russian Agencies for Disinformation

The UK has imposed sanctions on three Russian public relations agencies and their senior figures, accusing them of using disinformation to destabilize Ukraine and its democracy. This network, known as 'Doppelganger,' has been linked to spreading false rumors about the Princess of Wales earlier this year. The UK Foreign Office described a 'vast malign online network' intended to confuse and undermine democratic processes. The Social Design Agency (SDA) and its partners have been implicated in interference operations, including inciting protests and creating fake news sites. The sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans, supported by other countries like the US, Canada, and the EU, reflecting a coordinated international effort to counter Russian disinformation activities. These actions aim to disrupt Kremlin-backed operations that exploit contentious social topics.