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UK sanctions Kremlin-backed Social Design Agency over Ukraine disinformation campaign

Britain targeted a Russian disinformation network with sanctions against six entities and individuals involved in creating fake news websites targeting Ukraine.

byMaria Tril

28/10/2024

2 minute read

Credit: Photo: Mikko Palonkorpi

UK sanctions Kremlin-backed Social Design Agency over Ukraine disinformation campaign

The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on three individuals and three entities involved in Russia’s disinformation campaign targeting Ukraine, according to the UK government statement released 28 October.

The Kremlin deploys sophisticated disinformation operations in Western countries by creating mirror versions of legitimate news websites and social media accounts, making it difficult for readers to distinguish genuine sources from fraudulent ones. Through organizations like the Social Design Agency, Russia funds networks of fake sites and automated accounts that spread state-backed narratives.

According to European Pravda, the sanctions target the Social Design Agency (SDA), which international journalistic investigations have revealed receives funding from the Kremlin to promote its propaganda in the West.

Additional entities facing restrictions include the Structure group of companies linked to SDA and the autonomous non-profit organization Dialog.

The sanctions also apply to their leadership: Ilya Gambashidze, Nikolai Tupikin, and Andrei Perla.

These individuals are reportedly involved in Russia’s disinformation operation, codenamed Doppelganger. This operation creates clones of legitimate websites and social media pages to present them as authentic information sources.

“Despite Russia pouring money into these malicious organizations, their lies consistently fail online, with bots and fake websites receiving limited engagement,” the UK government statement notes.

The move follows similar actions by the United States in early September, when sanctions were imposed against the Kremlin’s disinformation network, including ANO Dialog and its subsidiary ANO Dialog Regions.

The US Treasury Department also announced blocking sanctions against Russian media group “Rossiya Segodnya” and its general director Dmitry Kiselev.

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