The United Kingdom has on four Georgian nationals accused of spreading pro-Kremlin disinformation and supporting Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory.

The individuals are Mamuka Pipia, international secretary of the Solidarity for Peace party; political commentator Giorgi Iremadze; Sezoni TV founder Nikoloz Mzhavanadze; and Paata Abuladze. London also sanctioned two officials installed by Russia in Georgia’s occupied Tskhinvali region, former de facto leader Alan Gagloev and newly installed leader Marat Kambolov.

The UK linked the Georgian targets to activities legitimising Russia’s occupation and supporting Russian-installed structures in occupied South Ossetia. The six Georgia-linked individuals were included in a wider package of 31 sanctions targeting people and entities connected to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The new measures were introduced as Russia continues its war against Ukraine and after what London described as illegitimate elections in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.