The Biden administration announced sanctions targeting Russian government-backed efforts to manipulate American opinion leading up to the 2024 election. The actions include targeting senior editors at RT, an English-language media network backed by Russia, and indicting two RT employees for allegedly covertly funding and directing an American company to publish content furthering Russian interests.
The Department of Justice announced that Russian nationals Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva remain at large, accused of deploying nearly $10 million to publish RT-curated content through a Tennessee company. The DOJ seized 32 Internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns aimed at reducing international support for Ukraine and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of the American people knowing when a foreign power is attempting to exploit the country's free exchange of ideas to spread propaganda. The U.S. Treasury Department designated 10 individuals and two entities for their involvement in Moscow's malign influence efforts targeting the upcoming American elections.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced actions to counter Russia's state-backed covert influence operations, including a new visa restriction policy on RT's parent company and other subsidiaries. U.S. intelligence officials previously reported that Russia was trying to undermine President Joe Biden's reelection campaign, leading Biden to drop out and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.