U.S. hits Russian state media with new sanctions

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Division introduced new sanctions on Russian state media Friday, accusing a Kremlin information outlet of working hand-in-hand with the Russian navy and operating fundraising campaigns to pay for sniper rifles, physique armor and different gear for troopers combating in Ukraine.

Whereas the outlet, RT, has beforehand been sanctioned for its work to unfold Kremlin propaganda and disinformation, the brand new allegations counsel its function goes far past affect operations. As a substitute, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, RT is a key a part of Russia’s conflict machine and its efforts to undermine its democratic adversaries.

“RT wants its new covert intelligence capabilities, like its longstanding propaganda disinformation efforts, to remain hidden,” Blinken advised reporters. “Our most powerful antidote to Russia’s lies is the truth. It’s shining a bright light on what the Kremlin is trying to do under the cover of darkness.”

RT has additionally created web sites posing as reputable information websites to unfold disinformation and propaganda in Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere, officers stated. They are saying the outlet has additionally expanded its use of cyber operations with a brand new unit with ties to Russian intelligence created final yr.

The group-sourcing effort ran on Russian social media platforms and sought to lift funds for navy provides, a few of which have been procured in China, officers stated. There have been no apparent connections between RT and the fundraising marketing campaign, or any indication that Chinese language officers knew their merchandise have been being bought to Russia.

The record of provides additionally included night-vision gear, drones, radios and turbines.

RT’s actions present “it’s not just a firehouse of disinformation, but a fully-fledged member of the intelligence apparatus and operation of the Russian government,” said Jamie Rubin, who heads the State Department’s Global Engagement Center.

President Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told The Associated Press that the allegations were “nonsense.” RT is “media” and “quite effective,” Peskov said.

The sanctions introduced Friday goal RT’s mum or dad group, TV-Novosti, in addition to a associated state media group referred to as Rossiya Segodnya and its normal director Dmitry Kiselyov. A 3rd group and its chief, Nelli Parutenko, have been additionally sanctioned for allegedly operating a vote-buying scheme in Moldova designed to assist Moscow’s most well-liked candidates in an upcoming election.

Russia’s International Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recommended the sanctions in opposition to RT have been pointless as a result of it has already been sanctioned.

“I think a new profession should appear in the United States — a specialist in sanctions already imposed against Russia,” she wrote on her Telegram channel.

Russia’s international propaganda work is receiving further scrutiny within the months main as much as the U.S. election. Final week, the Biden administration seized Kremlin-run web sites and charged two RT workers with covertly paying a Tennessee firm almost $10 million for its content material.

The corporate then paid a number of well-liked far-right influencers, whose content material typically mirrored Russian speaking factors. Two of the influencers stated that they had no thought their work was being supported by Russia.

This summer time, intelligence officers warned that Russia was utilizing unwitting Individuals to unfold its propaganda by disguising it in English on websites well-liked with Individuals. Officers say Russia seeks to divide Individuals forward of the election as a means of lowering assist for Ukraine.

Russia’s affect operations additionally seem designed to assist former President Donald Trump, who has criticized Ukraine and the NATO alliance whereas praising Russian President Vladimir Putin.