Finance
UK sanctions two Georgian TV channels over 'Russian disinformation'
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 24, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 24, 2026
Quick Summary
The UK sanctioned Georgian TV channels Imedi and POSTV for allegedly spreading pro‑Kremlin disinformation about the Ukraine war. Measures freeze UK assets and restrict ownership, within a 297-entity package announced on Feb 24, 2026.
UK targets two Georgian TV stations for alleged Russian disinformation
UK Sanctions on Georgian Broadcasters
TBILISI, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Britain introduced sanctions against two pro-government television channels in Georgia on Tuesday, accusing them of spreading deliberately misleading information about Russia's war in Ukraine.
Who Was Sanctioned: Imedi and Postv
The sanctions against Imedi and Postv are part of a new British package targeting 297 entities to mark the fourth anniversary of Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Britain accused the channels of promoting false narratives about the war, including those that destabilise Ukraine or threaten its territorial integrity. It said Imedi in particular had spread falsehoods casting Ukraine's government as "illegitimate" or a "puppet" of the West.
Channel Responses to Sanctions
Imedi described the sanctions as "worthless" and said it would continue to serve the Georgian people.
Postv founder Shalva Ramishvili condemned the decision in a Facebook post and suggested London had acted "because we're not saying that Ukraine is beating Russia."
Asset Freezes and Business Bans
Sanctions Measures Announced
The sanctions include a freeze on assets and properties owned by the broadcasters in Britain and bar their owners from running other UK-based companies.
Georgia’s Political Context Since 2022
Once among the more democratic and pro-Western of the successor states to emerge from the Soviet Union, Georgia has turned increasingly authoritarian since the war in Ukraine began and has deepened economic ties with Russia.
Tbilisi’s Stance Toward Russia
Tbilisi has provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine but has not imposed sanctions on Russia, to whom it lost a short war in 2008.
Imedi Ownership Changes
Imedi until recently was owned by Irakli Rukhadze, a Georgian-born U.S. citizen based in Britain.
Rukhadze sold his shares in Imedi this month to a company called Prime Media Global, with the channel's current management receiving half of the shares, according to a notice on the website of Hunnewell Partners, a private equity firm of which Rukhadze is a founding partner.
(Reporting by Lucy Papachristou, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Key Takeaways
- •The UK sanctioned Georgia’s Imedi and POSTV for alleged Russia-aligned disinformation on the Ukraine war.
- •Sanctions include freezing UK-based assets and restricting company ownership and management activities.
- •The move is part of a wider British package hitting 297 entities on the invasion’s fourth anniversary.
- •Imedi recently changed ownership, with Prime Media Global and current management acquiring the channel.
- •Imedi and POSTV leadership dismissed the measures and criticized the UK decision.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK sanctions two Georgian TV channels over 'Russian disinformation'
1What is the main topic?
Britain sanctioned Georgian TV channels Imedi and POSTV for allegedly spreading Russia-aligned disinformation about the Ukraine war, imposing asset freezes and ownership restrictions.
2Why did the UK target Imedi and POSTV?
Officials said the channels promoted false narratives undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and stability, aligning with Kremlin disinformation about the invasion.
3What penalties are included in the sanctions?
The measures freeze any UK-based assets and bar the owners from running other UK companies, limiting their access to Britain’s financial and corporate systems.
4What recent changes occurred at Imedi?
Imedi was recently sold to Prime Media Global, with the channel’s management receiving half the shares, following prior ownership links to Hunnewell Partners and Irakli Rukhadze.
