US Sanctions Russian Tech Firm AEZA for Supporting Disinformation Network
The United States has imposed sanctions on the Russian technology firm AEZA Group and its affiliated entities for providing support to the pro-Kremlin disinformation network known as Doppelgänger. This action, announced by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), aims to disrupt the spread of disinformation and propaganda that seeks to undermine Western unity and advance Kremlin interests. The sanctioned entities include AEZA GROUP LLC, AEZA INTERNATIONAL LTD, AEZA LOGISTIC LLC, Cloud Solutions LLC, and several individuals associated with these organizations.
AEZA Group, headquartered in St. Petersburg, has been identified as a central player in hosting the infrastructure utilized by the Doppelgänger network. This network, active since May 2022, has been spreading disinformation across Europe and Russia by replicating websites of legitimate news outlets like Der Spiegel and The Guardian. By creating these counterfeit websites, Doppelgänger disseminates fabricated news articles and propaganda designed to manipulate public opinion and sow discord.
The US Treasury Department’s sanctions highlight the increasing concern over the use of disinformation as a tool of geopolitical manipulation. Doppelgänger’s sophisticated tactics, which include creating mirror images of reputable news sources, demonstrate the lengths to which some actors are willing to go to spread false narratives. This practice undermines trust in legitimate media and can have significant consequences for public discourse and political stability.
Beyond its involvement with Doppelgänger, AEZA’s servers have also been linked to notorious malware operations such as Lumma and Meduza, according to cybersecurity researchers. This connection suggests a broader involvement in malicious cyber activities, further underscoring the need for sanctions to curb their operations. The US Treasury Department’s action aims to disrupt AEZA’s ability to support these activities and to hold the company and its associates accountable for their role in undermining information integrity.
The sanctions against AEZA coincide with the detention of several key figures within the company. In April 2025, Moscow’s Meshchansky District Court ordered the detention of AEZA Group CEO Yurii Bozoyan, along with employees Maksim Orlov and Tatyana Zubova. The arrests stemmed from charges of involvement in a criminal group and attempted large-scale drug trafficking. While these charges appear unrelated to the disinformation campaign, they further illustrate the complex nature of AEZA’s operations and the potential for criminal activity within the organization.
The US sanctions against AEZA and its affiliates represent a significant step in the ongoing effort to combat disinformation and protect the integrity of the information ecosystem. By targeting the infrastructure and individuals supporting these networks, the government aims to disrupt their operations and deter future malicious activities. The case of Doppelgänger and AEZA serves as a stark reminder of the escalating threat posed by disinformation and the importance of international cooperation to counter its spread. The sanctions also highlight the increasing interconnectedness of cybercrime, disinformation campaigns, and geopolitical maneuvering in the digital age.