BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Friday banned four more Russian media outlets from broadcasting in the 27-nation bloc over what it called spreading propaganda about the invasion of Ukraine and disinformation as the EU heads into three weeks parliamentary elections.
The latest group of broadcasters includes Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta, all of which the EU claims are under Kremlin control. In a statement, it said that the four focus in particular on “European political parties, especially during election periods.”
Belgium last month opened an investigation into suspected Russian interference in June’s European elections, saying the country’s intelligence service had confirmed the existence of a network trying to undermine support for Ukraine.
The Czech government has imposed sanctions on a number of people after a pro-Russian influence operation came to light there. They are said to have approached members of the European Parliament and offered them money to promote Russian propaganda.
Since the start of the war in February 2022, the EU has already suspended Russia Today and Sputnik, among others.
