US Launches Major Crackdown on Russia for Disinformation Campaigns

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a comprehensive crackdown on Wednesday targeting the Russian government’s covert efforts to influence the upcoming 2024 election through disinformation networks aimed at American voters.

For months, the Biden administration has been alerting the public to these Russian attempts to manipulate perceptions and foster distrust in the electoral process.

During a meeting at the Justice Department, Garland, along with FBI Director Christopher Wray, addressed both foreign and domestic incidents of attempts to sway voters, highlighting significant threats against election officials and administrators.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to exploit our country’s free exchange of ideas to promote its own propaganda,” Garland stated, emphasizing that investigations into these matters are ongoing.

The Justice Department has charged two employees from Russia Today (RT), a media outlet controlled by the Russian government, with running a nearly $10 million scheme. This operation aimed to fund a Tennessee-based company to publish content favorable to Russia.

According to the attorney general, the two individuals, identified as Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, directed the designated company to enlist social media influencers to amplify Russian propaganda.

“The company failed to disclose its connections to RT and the Russian government to influencers and their millions of followers. Instead, the defendants claimed the company was backed by a private investor, who turned out to be fictional,” Garland explained.

Furthermore, Russian entities created fake websites to further influence the electoral process, putting more emphasis on their deceptive tactics.

“RT has employed individuals residing in the U.S. to facilitate contracts with American media figures to generate and distribute Russian propaganda domestically. This content was presented as credible independent journalism, whereas much of it was actually produced in Russia by RT employees,” Wray stated. “The second operation reveals additional malicious activities by companies operating under the direction of the Russian government, which developed media websites to mislead Americans into consuming Russian propaganda.”

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco underscored the ongoing investigations into election threats, asserting that Russia remains a significant foreign adversary to U.S. elections. She also noted that Iran is intensifying its attempts to sway the electoral landscape, particularly concerning the presidential election.

Wray issued a stern warning to both Iran and China in response to potential interference in the presidential election: “Knock it off.”

Garland pointed out that Russia has adopted advanced strategies, employing artificial intelligence and other cyber techniques that heighten the threat compared to the past.

“They’re utilizing bot farms in ways we have not seen before, making this a larger threat than ever,” Garland remarked. He reiterated that Russia has meddled in American society and attempted to sow discord for decades.

The Justice Department also highlighted its focus on a specific Russian disinformation campaign known as “Doppelganger.” The DOJ has seized 32 internet domains purportedly used by Russian government-affiliated actors in this influence operation, aimed at undermining international support for Ukraine and swaying U.S. voters, according to newly released court documents.

Garland also addressed domestic threats against election officials, noting that the Election Threats Task Force has engaged in over 25 activities since March, including trainings and simulations with both law enforcement and election community partners.

In the coming weeks, representatives will meet directly with election workers. Additionally, the FBI will host federal partners at its headquarters during the days surrounding the election to address real-time events and potential crimes linked to the elections.

“Election officials should not have to confront these threats in isolation,” he added.

In a statement released on the same day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken detailed the actions the State Department is taking to combat Kremlin-backed media efforts that seek to influence the elections.

These efforts include imposing new visa restrictions on adversaries, designating RT’s parent company as a foreign government-controlled entity, and offering rewards for information on the Russian intelligence-related hacking group RaHDit through the “Rewards for Justice” program.

“Today’s announcement illustrates the lengths to which some foreign governments will go to undermine American democratic institutions. But these governments should be aware that we will not tolerate foreign actors who intentionally interfere with and undermine free and fair elections,” Blinken stated.

Moreover, the Treasury Department announced that it is designating ten individuals, including RT employees, and two entities as part of the U.S. response to Russia’s malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 presidential election.

The head of the hacktivist group RaHDit, along with two of his associates, was also included in the sanctions announced by the Treasury Department.

Source: ABC News