UK Sanctions Russian and Chinese Firms Accused of Information Warfare

Britain announced new sanctions against several Russian media and intelligence entities on Tuesday as part of a broader effort to combat what Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described as escalating “information warfare” from hostile foreign states.

The sanctions target the popular Telegram channel Rybar, which has become a significant platform for pro-Russian military content since the invasion of Ukraine. Also sanctioned is the Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad, an organization Estonian intelligence has identified as a front for Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency. The Center for Geopolitical Expertise, a think-tank led by influential far-right Russian philosopher Aleksandr Dugin, was also included in the sanctions package.

Beyond Russian entities, two China-based firms were sanctioned for what Cooper characterized as “vast and indiscriminate cyber activities against the UK and its allies,” though specific details about these companies were not immediately disclosed.

In a speech delivered at the Foreign Office in London, Cooper outlined the growing challenge of hybrid threats designed to “weaken critical national infrastructure, undermine our interests and interfere in our democracies.”

“We should call this out for what it is: Russian information warfare. And we are defending ourselves,” Cooper stated firmly.

The Foreign Secretary detailed how these threats have evolved beyond conventional tactics to include sophisticated disinformation campaigns that leverage cutting-edge technologies. She specifically referenced the flooding of social media with generative AI and manipulated videos aimed at eroding Western support for Ukraine.

British intelligence officials have identified several concrete examples of such operations, including fake websites and political advertisements deployed during Moldova’s recent elections, where Russia has sought to maintain influence. They also highlighted fabricated news sites featuring videos making false claims about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, designed to undermine international backing for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.

The timing of Cooper’s speech was significant, marking the centenary of the Locarno Treaties—agreements that helped establish peace in Europe following the First World War. The historical reference served to emphasize the continued importance of international cooperation in addressing security challenges.

This emphasis on multilateral cooperation comes at a particularly sensitive moment in transatlantic relations, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office raising questions about America’s commitment to long-established alliances, particularly NATO. Trump’s previous criticism of NATO members’ defense spending and occasional suggestions about reconsidering U.S. commitments have caused concern among European allies.

However, Cooper sought to reassure the public following her recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. “Those talks were incredibly clear about the strength of the US commitment to NATO,” she stated, attempting to project unity despite the shifting political landscape.

The UK’s actions represent part of a growing Western response to sophisticated information operations from hostile states. Such operations have become increasingly prevalent and advanced, with intelligence agencies warning that Russia has significantly expanded its disinformation capabilities since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

Experts suggest that these sanctions, while primarily symbolic, send an important signal about Britain’s determination to counter information warfare tactics that exploit democratic freedoms and technological vulnerabilities.