On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom has expanded its sanctions list to include two major Georgian pro-government television networks: Imedi TV and PosTV.
The move marks a significant escalation in the West’s effort to curb Russian-aligned disinformation within the Caucasus region. Both channels are accused by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of disseminating propaganda that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and promotes Kremlin-backed narratives.
Strategic disinformation for “destabilization”
The British government added nearly 300 entities to its sanctions list on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. The justification for targeting the Georgian broadcasters is clear: deliberate disinformation aimed at destabilization.
According to the FCDO, these outlets have been instrumental in spreading misleading information regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to a Georgian audience. The official statement notes that their content:
“Supports or promotes policy or action which destabilises Ukraine or undermines or threatens the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine.”
The UK authorities highlighted specific recurring themes in the channels’ broadcasts, including claims that:
The Ukrainian government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are illegitimate, Ukraine is a “puppet” of the West and inherently corrupt, Ukraine and Western powers are actively trying to destabilize Georgia.
Shift in ownership: The “1,000 GEL” deal
The sanctions come amid suspicious shifts in the corporate structure of Imedi TV, Georgia’s most-watched pro-government channel.
In early Feb. 2026, just weeks before the sanctions were announced, Imedi’s long-time owner, Irakli Rukhadze, sold the station for a “symbolic price” of 1,000 GEL (approx. $370). The new ownership group is led by Ilia Mikelaishvili along with five other employees.
Meanwhile, PosTV remains under the direct control of figures closely tied to the ruling “Georgian Dream” party.
The sanctioning of these outlets reflects growing international concern over Georgia’s democratic backsliding and its government’s ambiguous stance toward Moscow.
While the Georgian public remains overwhelmingly pro-Ukrainian, the sanctioned channels have been accused of “poisoning the information space” to align Georgia closer to the Kremlin’s sphere of influence.
By freezing the assets and restricting the operations of these media giants, the UK is sending a blunt message to Tbilisi: facilitating Russian propaganda has a cost.