Feds Charge Russia’s RT Network in $10 Million Election Misinformation Scheme

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department has charged two Russian nationals with orchestrating a $10 million campaign aimed at influencing the 2024 election via online platforms inundated with disinformation, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on Wednesday.

This case centers on RT, the Russian state media outlet that was discontinued by U.S. distributors following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The complaint indicates that a Tennessee-based company was financed by RT to spread false information among American social media influencers, with the goal of creating discord within U.S. political discourse.

Additionally, the Justice Department has confiscated 32 internet domains utilized by the Russian operatives to disseminate election-related misinformation. These domains were crafted to resemble legitimate American news organizations but were, in fact, vehicles for Russian propaganda intended to be amplified by U.S. social media influencers.

Garland stated, “The American people deserve to know when foreign powers attempt to exploit our nation’s open dialogue to promote their own narratives.” He highlighted that RT’s leadership had previously acknowledged their efforts to create “an entire empire of covert projects designed to shape public opinion in Western audiences” following Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine.

The sophistication of these influence campaigns has reportedly increased, employing advanced artificial intelligence technologies, rendering them faster and more widespread. Garland noted, “We’re observing a growing number of these attacks, and they are coming quicker and quicker. Consequently, it poses a more significant threat than ever before.”

The charging documents reveal that the Tennessee-based company published approximately 2,000 videos on platforms like YouTube, collectively amassing around 16 million views. The two main founders of the company had substantial followings, with 2.4 million and 1.3 million subscribers, respectively.

FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the key issue is not just the content itself, but rather “the hidden hand of the Russian government” manipulating this narrative.

In a dismissive response, RT remarked, “Three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and RT’s interference in the U.S. elections.” In reaction, Garland affirmed the seriousness with which the government treats these threats, stating, “This is a deadly serious matter, and we will approach it accordingly.”

The two Russian individuals charged, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, are currently at large. They face allegations of conspiring to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco remarked, “The department will not tolerate any foreign attempts to unlawfully manipulate American public opinion by inciting discord and division.”

Other government agencies have taken further action against RT and various individuals within Russia. The Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on ten individuals linked to RT, including the editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan, as well as two entities involved in Moscow’s efforts to recruit American influencers for their agenda.

Furthermore, the State Department has implemented a new policy restricting visa access for individuals representing Kremlin-funded media organizations. This policy targets “nefarious, covert influence activities” rather than being a reaction to specific news content. The department has also designated five Russian companies operating in the U.S. as foreign missions under the control of the Russian government, necessitating transparency regarding their employees and real-estate holdings.

Brandon Van Grack, a former lead prosecutor for Special Counsel Robert Mueller during the investigation concerning Russian interference in the 2016 election, commented, “This is the most comprehensive action we’ve witnessed to disrupt a foreign government’s interference in a U.S. election. It is designed not only to counteract the interference but also to mitigate its impact on the upcoming election.”

Government officials have warned for years about the potential for Russia, along with China and Iran, to attempt to influence elections.

This trend is not recent. Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigated interference during the 2016 election, resulting in charges against Russians for hacking Democratic Party computers and disseminating information regarding nominee Hillary Clinton.

Mueller’s report concluded that “the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion.” While it determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the campaign, the investigation did not establish that the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government.

The intelligence community’s assessment indicated that Russia aimed to undermine public confidence in the U.S. democratic process, disparage Secretary Clinton, and diminish her electability.

In a speech last month, Monaco warned that Putin “and his proxies are employing increasingly sophisticated techniques in their interference operations,” targeting specific voter demographics to manipulate the outcomes of presidential and congressional elections.

Source: USA Today