UK Sanctions Georgian Media Outlets for Spreading Pro-Russian Disinformation

UK Sanctions Georgian Broadcasters for Spreading Russian Disinformation on Ukraine

The United Kingdom has taken decisive action against what it describes as Russian-aligned disinformation by sanctioning two major Georgian television networks on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Imedi TV and PosTV, both pro-government broadcasters in Georgia, have been added to the UK’s sanctions list in what represents a significant escalation in Western efforts to combat Kremlin-backed narratives in the Caucasus region.

The British government added nearly 300 entities to its sanctions list on Tuesday, targeting the Georgian broadcasters specifically for their role in disseminating propaganda that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty. According to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), these outlets have deliberately spread misleading information about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to Georgian audiences.

“These networks support or promote policy or action which destabilizes Ukraine or undermines or threatens the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine,” the FCDO stated in its official announcement.

British authorities pointed to several recurring themes in the channels’ broadcasts, including claims that the Ukrainian government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are illegitimate, that Ukraine is merely a “puppet” of Western powers and inherently corrupt, and that Ukraine and Western countries are actively working to destabilize Georgia.

The timing of the sanctions is particularly notable given recent suspicious changes in the corporate structure of Imedi TV, Georgia’s most-watched pro-government channel. Just weeks before the sanctions were announced, Imedi’s long-time owner, Irakli Rukhadze, sold the station for what has been described as a “symbolic price” of 1,000 GEL (approximately $370) to a new ownership group led by Ilia Mikelaishvili and five other employees.

This hasty ownership transfer has raised questions about whether there was advance knowledge of the impending sanctions and an attempt to shield the station’s assets or previous ownership from international penalties. Meanwhile, PosTV remains under the direct control of figures with close ties to the ruling “Georgian Dream” party, which has been criticized for its increasingly ambiguous stance toward Moscow.

The sanctions reflect growing international concern over Georgia’s democratic backsliding under the current government. Despite the Georgian public remaining overwhelmingly pro-Ukrainian, these media outlets have been accused of “poisoning the information space” with narratives that appear designed to align Georgia closer to the Kremlin’s sphere of influence.

Georgia has long maintained a complex relationship with both Russia and Western powers. Following the 2008 Russian-Georgian war, which resulted in Russian occupation of approximately 20 percent of Georgian territory, the country had pursued a decidedly pro-Western path. However, under the current “Georgian Dream” government, critics argue there has been a gradual drift toward accommodating Russian interests.

The sanctions against these broadcasters represent a new front in the information war surrounding the Ukraine conflict. By freezing assets and restricting the operations of these media companies, the UK is sending a clear message to Tbilisi that facilitating Russian propaganda carries tangible consequences.

Media freedom watchdogs have documented a steady decline in press independence in Georgia over recent years, with pro-government outlets increasingly dominating the information landscape. These sanctions may further complicate Georgia’s relationship with Western partners at a time when the country’s EU accession hopes have already been hampered by concerns over democratic standards.

For Ukraine, the sanctions represent a welcome acknowledgment of how the information war extends well beyond its borders, with Russian narratives finding platforms in neighboring countries. The UK’s action signals that countering disinformation remains a priority component of Western support for Ukraine as the conflict enters its fifth year.