The new UK sanctions against Dugin for Russian war propaganda represent a major breakthrough in the United Kingdom’s efforts to counter Russia’s global information warfare.
Announced by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, the new measures target not only the far-right ideologue of Russian imperialism Aleksandr Dugin and his think tank but also Russian disinformation channels and China-based firms involved in hostile cyber activity, media reported.
As hybrid threats intensify across Europe, London’s action highlights a growing recognition that Kremlin propaganda is not merely a political nuisance but an attack on national security and European democracies.
The UK Is Targeting Russia’s Information Warfare Infrastructure
In a major address at the Foreign Office in London, Yvette Cooper warned that Western nations face escalating hybrid threats aimed at weakening democratic institutions, sowing doubt about alliances, and eroding public support for Ukraine.
These threats include cyberattacks, physical sabotage, and an expanding ecosystem of online propaganda driven by the Kremlin and its proxies.
The sanctions were announced on the 100th anniversary of the Locarno Treaties—an intentional alignment that stresses the importance of a renewed collective defense of European peace. Cooper emphasized that contemporary threats extend beyond military aggression, increasingly encompassing psychological operations and technological manipulation.
In a speech at the Foreign Office in London, Yvette Cooper said the UK and its allies face escalating “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 said.
Why Alexander Dugin Was Sanctioned by the UK
At the center of these new measures is the Center for Geopolitical Expertise, a think tank led by far-right theorist Aleksandr Dugin. Often described as one of the intellectual architects of Russian imperial ideology, Dugin promotes extremist narratives portraying Russia’s war in Ukraine as a civilizational struggle.
Dugin’s network supports messaging that justifies aggression, delegitimizes neighboring states, and reinforces Kremlin influence in Western political debates.
By sanctioning Dugin’s organization, the UK directly targets the ideological infrastructure of Russian expansionism—recognizing propaganda as a strategic weapon rather than mere rhetoric.
The Broader Network of Sanctioned Actors
The sanctions also extend beyond Dugin to three additional Russia-linked entities and two Chinese cyber actors. Cooper specifically identified disinformation and espionage assets operating in Europe’s information environment.
Entities brought under sanctions include:
- The Russian Telegram channel Rybar, linked to coordinated disinformation and battlefield narratives designed to manipulate Western understanding of the war.
- The Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad, identified by Estonian intelligence as a Russia’s GRU front firm, used to influence and mobilize Russian diaspora communities.
- Two China-based firms involved in wide-ranging, indiscriminate cyber operations against the UK and allied states.
This limited set of actions reflects a broader strategy: to disable operational nodes of Russian and Chinese hostile influence without escalating militarily.
How Russian Information Warfare Operates
The UK government made clear that Russia’s information warfare is evolving rapidly. State media and bot networks are no longer the only sources of disinformation; AI-generated deepfakes, fake news sites, and coordinated cross-platform campaigns are increasingly involved.
During her speech, Cooper referenced recent examples. Fake political ads and fabricated websites appeared during Moldova’s election, while altered videos targeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife circulated widely to undermine support for Ukraine.
These coordinated operations are consistent with Russia’s long-standing objective: weaken European democratic unity, sow distrust on the continent, and disrupt Western backing for Ukraine.
Dugin’s ideological apparatus plays a crucial role, providing narratives that justify aggression, portray Russia as a besieged civilization, and frame Western institutions as morally corrupt. Sanctioning his think tank disrupts an important intellectual conduit for Kremlin messaging.
Hybrid Threats Require Multinational Defense
Cooper emphasized that countering information warfare cannot be the responsibility of a single nation. She highlighted renewed transatlantic cooperation, noting that her discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed strong American commitment to NATO despite recent political turbulence in Washington.
Cooper’s message was clear: democratic nations must modernize their defenses, integrate cyber and communication resilience strategies, and expose hostile foreign propaganda in real time.
The sanctions against Dugin for Russian war propaganda are a step toward building a unified Western framework for countering hybrid threats, which increasingly target public opinion, elections, and critical infrastructure.
Information warfare affects far more than government agencies. Businesses, media organizations, civil society groups, and digital platforms all face rising risks from foreign malign influence. Disinformation can destabilize markets, undermine public trust, and weaken organizational resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the UK sanction Aleksandr Dugin?
Because Dugin’s think tank supports ideological narratives that justify Russia’s war and fuel disinformation.
Did the UK sanctions on information warfare assets target any other entities?
The UK sanctions targeted the Russian Telegram channel Rybar, a diaspora foundation linked to the GRU, and two cyber firms based in China.
How does Russian propaganda threaten Europe?
Russian propaganda poses a threat to Europe by manipulating public opinion, disrupting elections, and undermining support for Ukraine.
Is information warfare part of Russia’s military strategy?
Yes—propaganda, cyberattacks, and sabotage work together as hybrid threats that are targeting European democracies.
What does the UK hope to achieve?
The UK aims to disrupt Russia’s influence networks and safeguard democratic institutions.