UK Sanctions Russian Disinformation Network Behind Rumors About Princess of Wales

Six Russian agencies and individuals were accused of operating within a disinformation network spreading false rumors about the Princess of Wales. They are now facing sanctions from the UK government.

The so-called Doppelganger group  is accused of attempting to sow division among countries supporting Ukraine. In March, the group reportedly amplified a wave of rumors and fabricated claims about Catherine, the Princess of Wales, while she was temporarily out of the public eye due to health issues.

“Putin is so desperate to undermine European support for Ukraine he is now resorting to clumsy, ineffective efforts to try and stoke unrest," said UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

The Princess of Wales has largely remained out of the public eye since announcing her cancer diagnosis earlier this spring. Her disappearance led to many rumors and conspiracy theories emerging on social media.

Catherine eventually made her first public appearance in June, and later in September announced completing her chemotherapy.

This Russian operation, executed by the disinformation network known as “Doppelganger,” was linked to online rumors about Catherine. The disinformation group has been accused of creating numerous fake versions of legitimate news websites, luring social media users to false information sources, fueling division, and sowing confusion.

The sanctions will target a group of agencies and senior staff identified by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The groups and individuals sanctioned by the UK are:

• Social Design Agency

• Structura National Technologies

• Ano Dialog

• Ilya Andreevich Gambashidze

• Nikolay Aleksandrovich Tupikin

• Andrey Naumovich Perla

The French government has also identified the Doppelganger group as being linked to efforts aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and disrupting elections.

In September, the investigation by Radio Svoboda’s “Schema” and several European media outlets exposed the “Agency for Social Design”, led by Russian political technologist Ilya Gambashidze, as a key player in spreading disinformation to undermine Ukraine, its leadership, and Western allies.

Earlier, Ken McCallum, the Director General of the Security Service (MI5), warned of threats emanating from Russia's GRU . He stated that Russia seeks to generate “sustained mayhem” on British and European streets by resorting to sabotage, arson and other dangerous actions.