UK sanctions Russian 'propagandists and state media'

TheUKon Thursday announced newsanctionsagainstRussian"propagandists", including a well-known television presenter, and two Kremlin-fundedmediaoperations accused of spreading "lies and deceit" about the invasion of Ukraine.

The 14 latestsanctionsfollow several previous rounds of penalties against more than 1,000Russianand Belarusian individuals and entities in response to Moscow's war in its western neighbour.

"Britain has helped lead the world in exposing Kremlin disinformation, and this latest batch ofsanctionshits the shamelesspropagandistswho push out (Vladimir) Putin's fake news and narratives," Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.

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"We will keep on going with moresanctionsto ramp up the pressure on Russia and ensure Putin loses in Ukraine. Nothing and no one is off the table."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman told reporters separately: "Countries can adapt tosanctionsover time so it's right that we continue to move forward on this.

"It is equally right to imposesanctionson those who are seeking to disinform people at a mass scale."

London targetedRussianColonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, head of theRussianNational Defence Control Centre, who theUKforeign ministry said had become known as "the butcher of Mariupol" over Russia's actions in the besieged Ukrainian city.

Johnson's spokesman said "on the face of it there does appear to be evidence of war crimes" in Mariupol.

TV-Novosti, which owns the global television channel RT -- formerly Russia Today -- was also sanctioned, as was Rossiya Segodnya, which controls the news agency Sputnik.

TheUKbroadcasting regulator Ofcom earlier this month revoked RT's licence with immediate effect, saying it was not "fit and proper" to broadcast in the country.

In reaction, Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT told RIA Novostistatenews agency, said: "We'll add this insult to the total count."

Propagandist

Meanwhile, theUKalso included Sergey Brilyov -- a famous TV anchor in Russia onstate-ownedmediaoutlet Rossiya, known for his interviews with high profile political figures -- to itssanctionslist, describing him as a "propagandist for Putin".

"Having previously lived in theUK, (he) will no longer be able to access any of hisUKassets or continue business dealings," the ministry said.

Alexander Zharov, chief executive officer of Gazprom-Media, Alexei Nikolov, the managing director of RT, and Anton Anisimov, head of Sputnik International Broadcasting, were also targeted.

"Thesesanctionswill ensure RT will not be able to find its way back onUKtelevisions, and will prevent companies and individuals operating in theUKfrom doing business withRussianstatepropaganda vehicles," the foreign ministry added.

London said it had also fast-trackedsanctionsagainst another seven individuals connected to "the Strategic Culture Foundation," which it described as an online journal registered in Russia.

The ministry noted they were recently sanctioned by Australia for their role in spreading disinformation.

"TheUKis operating closely with allies to target Russia's oligarchs, banks and businesses," it added.