Russian Propagandists Leveraged Tennessee Company for Disinformation Campaign

An indictment revealed on Wednesday alleges that a content creation company based in Tennessee was a conduit for Russian propagandists attempting to disseminate Kremlin-backed messaging to U.S. audiences.

Two individuals, identified as Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, also known as Kostya, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, or Lena, have been charged in this case. Both are accused of funneling nearly $10 million to a Tennessee-based online content creation firm, which produced English-language videos distributed on social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube. In the last ten months, the company’s over 2,000 videos have garnered more than 16 million views solely on YouTube, as stated in the indictment.

Although the indictment does not explicitly name the Tennessee company, descriptions align closely with Tenet Media, which presents itself on its website as “a network of heterodox commentators that focus on Western political and cultural issues.” The timeline of Tenet Media’s establishment and its operations further matches claims made in the indictment. The company was incorporated around January 19, 2022, and is confirmed by records from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office, as well as its application to conduct business submitted to the state in May 2023.

In light of the allegations, reporters from the Tennessean have reached out for comments, utilizing the submission form on Tenet Media’s website and emailing the commentators listed on the site.

Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva are now at large, facing serious charges including conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The Justice Department will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to exploit our country’s free exchange of ideas in order to covertly further its own propaganda efforts, and our investigation into this matter remains ongoing.”

Russia Today, the state-controlled media outlet linked to the defendants, reacted with scorn, claiming, “Three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and RT’s interference in the U.S. elections.” Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia Today was compelled to suspend its formal operations across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, as cited in the federal indictment.

The indictment elaborates that, in reaction to the loss of operational capacity, Russia Today established what its editor-in-chief called an “entire empire of covert projects” aimed at influencing public opinion within Western audiences. The Tennessee-based content creation company was one of these initiatives, launching its operations in November 2023.

The content produced by the company primarily focused on various subjects including immigration, inflation, and both domestic and foreign policies within the United States, according to the indictment. Afanasyeva allegedly directed staff members to publish content that aligned with Russian government interests. Notably, after a tragic terrorist attack in Moscow that resulted in over 130 fatalities in March, she reportedly instructed one of the company’s founders to attribute blame to Ukraine and the U.S.

Between October 2023 and August 2024, significant wire transfers totaling approximately $9.7 million were sent from Russia Today to the Tennessee firm, accounting for around 90% of the company’s deposits. Interestingly, the funds originated from shell companies situated in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Mauritius, with payments supposedly designated for electronics purchases.

Furthermore, the indictment indicates that the company’s founders disguised its actual funding source, misrepresenting that their financial backing came from a fictional private investor named “Eduard Grigoriann.”

The FBI, currently investigating the matter, highlighted the seriousness of the threats posed by such covert attempts to manipulate American public discourse. FBI Director Christopher A. Wray commented, “Covert attempts to sow division and trick Americans into unwittingly consuming foreign propaganda represent attacks on our democracy. As long as foreign adversaries like Russia engage in hostile influence campaigns, they will continue to encounter resistance from the FBI.”

Significantly, the Tennessee-based company failed to inform its audience of its funding by Russia Today, nor did it register as required by law with the attorney general as an agent of a foreign principal.

If convicted, both Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva could face severe penalties: up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering and up to five years for conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Source: USA Today