The Australian government has placed sanctions on a further 22 Russian propagandists and disinformation operatives, and on the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and members of his family.
These latest steps “continue our focussed efforts to ensure that Russia and those who support its illegal, unprovoked invasion of its democratic neighbour, pay a high cost”, the government said.
There are new sanctions on 22 additional Russian “propagandists and purveyors of disinformation, including senior editors from organisations including Russia Today, the Strategic Culture Foundation, InfoRos and NewsFront”.
Australia has now sanctioned a total of 32 individuals, “reflecting the strategic importance of disinformation in Russia’s attempts to legitimise Putin’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine”.
As for Belarus, Australia is placing sanctions on the president’s son Viktor Lukashenko, who previously held senior national security roles in the Belarussian government, and the president’s wife Galina Lukashenko.
The latest sanctions are in addition to those previously imposed on 13 Belarusian individuals and entities, including its defence minister Viktor Khrenin.
“The Australian government reiterates our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the people of Ukraine.
“Australia, in close coordination with our partners, will continue to impose further sanctions to inflict significant costs on those in Russia and Belarus who bear responsibility or hold levers of power. We again call upon Russia to immediately withdraw its military forces from Ukraine.”
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