Image Credit: VOA
On Wednesday, the United States accused Russia of orchestrating a campaign to influence the 2024 elections by deploying misinformation across online platforms. Attorney General Merrick Garland made this assertion during a public address at a Justice Department Election Threats Task Force meeting, which was also attended by FBI Director Chris Wray.
The allegations, reported by CNN and backed by multiple sources, involve Russia’s state media network RT. The Justice Department has pointed to RT’s efforts to mislead American voters, targeting specific demographics to sway electoral outcomes. This follows a previous warning from Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, who indicated that Russian interference tactics have become more sophisticated, aiming to manipulate public opinion and undermine U.S. support for Ukraine.
On September 4, the U.S. government escalated its response by imposing sanctions on RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan and nine others associated with the network. Charges have been filed against Konstantin Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, RT employees, for conspiracy to commit money laundering and violations of foreign agent laws. The Treasury Department revealed that RT covertly recruited social media influencers to propagate pro-Kremlin messages and undermine American support for Ukraine.
According to Garland, RT allocated approximately $10 million to fund and operate a Tennessee-based company for creating and distributing content favorable to the Russian government. This company allegedly employed influencers to spread this content without disclosing its RT affiliations. The FBI is seeking court authorization to seize 32 internet domains linked to these malign foreign influence activities, which include efforts to erode public backing for U.S. aid to Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia