EU sanctions 7 more Russian individuals, 5 entities on charges of spreading disinformation about war

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – The European Union on Friday sanctioned seven more Russian individuals and five entities for allegedly engaging in an online disinformation campaign in support of Ukraine's war.

The EU Council in a statement blamed seven Russian individuals and five entities for conducting a digital information manipulation campaign called "RRN" (Recent Reliable News), which was "aimed at distorting information and disseminating propaganda in support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine."

The campaign involves fake web pages imitating national media outlets and government websites, as well as fake social media accounts, according to the statement.

"We are targeting those carrying out information manipulation and interference as part of a broader hybrid campaign by Russia against the EU and the member states," said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in the statement.

The sanctions target the Russian military-linked website Inforos and three of its founders, as well as the non-profit organization ANO Dialog, the Institute of the Russian Diaspora, and Social Design Agency and Structura National Technologies, two Russian IT companies involved in the Russian-led digital disinformation campaign "RRN," and prominent representatives of these entities, according to the statement.

The sanctions have now been applied to 1,800 Russian individuals and entities, and include assets freeze, funds ban, and travel ban, according to the EU Council.

The Russia-Ukraine war passed its 500-day mark in early July.

It began in February 2022 and has resulted in the deaths of over 9,000 civilians and injuries to more than 15,700 people, according to the latest UN figures.

Additionally, more than 6.3 million Ukrainians have become refugees, forced to flee their country.