UK Sanctions Russian and Chinese Entities Over Disinformation and Cyber Threats

Britain has imposed sanctions on multiple Russian entities accused of spreading propaganda and two Chinese companies allegedly involved in cyber operations against the UK and its allies, as part of a broader effort to combat hybrid warfare tactics.

The British government on Tuesday announced the measures amid growing concerns about information manipulation and cyber threats. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted these actions as a response to escalating hybrid threats across Europe.

“Across Europe, we are witnessing an escalation in hybrid threats – from physical through to cyber and information warfare – designed to destabilise our democracies, weaken our critical national infrastructure, and undermine our interests, all for the advantage of malign foreign states,” stated a Foreign Office policy paper accompanying the sanctions announcement.

Among the Russian entities targeted is Rybar, a media outlet whose Telegram channel and affiliated networks operate in 28 languages, reaching millions worldwide. According to Cooper, Rybar employs “classic Kremlin manipulation tactics, including fake ‘investigations’ and AI-driven content to shape narratives about global events in the Kremlin’s favour.”

Despite presenting itself as independent, British officials claim Rybar receives partial funding from Russia’s presidential administration and state corporations, and has collaborated with Russian intelligence services.

The sanctions also target the Pravfond Foundation, which British authorities allege serves as a front for Russia’s GRU foreign intelligence agency. “Leaked reports suggest that Pravfond finances the promotion of Kremlin narratives to Western audiences as well as bankrolling legal defences for convicted Russian assassins and arms traffickers,” Cooper explained.

Another significant figure facing sanctions is Alexander Dugin, an influential nationalist Russian philosopher widely believed to have shaped much of President Vladimir Putin’s ideological thinking. Dugin’s think tank, the Centre for Geopolitical Expertise, has also been sanctioned. Dugin is known for championing “neo-Eurasianism,” a doctrine advocating for Russia to “liberate” the world from Western influence by establishing an empire spanning from Europe to Asia.

The UK government’s actions extend beyond Russian disinformation operations to include cyber threats from China. Two Chinese companies, i-Soon and Integrity Technology Group, were sanctioned for what Cooper described as “vast and indiscriminate cyber activities against the UK and its allies.”

“Attacks like this impact our collective security and our public services, yet those responsible operate with little regard for who or what they target,” Cooper stated. “And so we are ensuring that such reckless activity does not go unchecked.”

These sanctions reflect growing concern among Western democracies about the sophisticated nature of modern information warfare and cyber operations. Security experts have long warned about the increasing convergence of state-sponsored disinformation campaigns and cyber activities designed to destabilize democratic institutions and critical infrastructure.

The UK’s move comes amid heightened tensions between Western nations and both Russia and China over a range of geopolitical issues. It also demonstrates Britain’s post-Brexit determination to maintain an independent and assertive foreign policy stance on matters of national security.

The sanctions are expected to include asset freezes and travel restrictions on individuals connected to the named organizations, though specific details of the punitive measures were not fully outlined in the announcement.