Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the sanctions include individuals from Russian media outlets and news agencies. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The government has imposed new sanctions targeting individuals and networks behind disinformation campaigns that support Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced the further round of sanctions on 23 individuals who are supporting the illegal invasion.
The Russian leader used a network of media agencies and influential commentators as part of his propaganda machine to spread false information and lies, she said.
"The individuals sanctioned today have direct influence over public perceptions about Russia's illegal and unprovoked war. They contribute to the fog of disinformation that serves Putin's aggression against Ukraine's territorial sovereignty," Mahuta said in a statement.
The latest round of sanctions target individuals from Russian media outlets and news agencies.
"Those sanctioned include the Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, the CEO of Channel-1 Russia, and key personnel from Russian media outlets including InfoRos, SouthFront, and the Strategic Culture Foundation," Mahuta said.
New Zealand has imposed sanctions on more than 1200 individuals and entities since the Russia Sanctions Act was passed in March, as well as imposing trade measures which have seen two-way trade with Russia fall drastically.
