The UK government has imposed sanctions on six Russian agencies and individuals accused of being part of the 'Doppelganger' disinformation network.

This group has been linked to false rumors about the Princess of Wales as part of efforts to undermine European support for Ukraine during the conflict with Russia.

The UK Foreign Office described the network as spreading fake news, causing confusion, and undermining democracy through a 'vast malign online network.' The group allegedly attempted to destabilize nations supporting Ukraine by amplifying rumors, including those about Catherine, Princess of Wales, who was temporarily out of public view due to health issues.

The Princess later revealed her cancer diagnosis, which halted the speculation.

The Foreign Office reported the network's creation of fake news websites and use of fake social media accounts to promote misinformation, which had been identified by Cardiff University security experts and acknowledged by the French government.

Sanctioned entities include Social Design Agency, Structura National Technologies, Ano Dialog, and individuals Ilya Gambashidze, Nikolay Tupikin, and Andrey Perla.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed these accusations as 'utter rubbish,' attributing civil unrest in Europe to domestic politics.

The US State Department, however, has supported the UK's sanctions as a necessary countermeasure to Kremlin-linked disinformation efforts.

Cardiff University's Prof. Martin Innes notes that groups like Doppelganger aim to exploit cultural tensions and disrupt Western democratic processes, having previously observed and analyzed tactics used in the Brexit referendum and US presidential elections.