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 army and working 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 allegations introduced Friday recommend its position goes far past affect operations. As an alternative, Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned, RT is a key a part of Russia’s struggle machine and its efforts to undermine its democratic allies.
“RT needs its new covert intelligence capabilities, like its longstanding propaganda disinformation efforts, to stay hidden,” Blinken mentioned. “Our strongest antidote to Russia’s lies is the reality. It is shining a vivid mild on what the Kremlin is making an attempt to do below the quilt of darkness.”
RT has additionally created web sites posing as respectable information websites to unfold disinformation and propaganda in Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere, officers mentioned. 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 12 months.
The gang-sourcing effort sought to lift funds for Russian army provides, a few of which had been procured in China, officers mentioned. There have been no apparent connections between RT and the fundraising marketing campaign, or any indication that Chinese language officers knew their merchandise had been being bought to Russia.
RT’s actions present “it isn’t only a firehouse of disinformation, however a completely fledged member of the intelligence equipment and operation of the Russian authorities,” mentioned Jamie Rubin, who heads the State Division’s World Engagement Heart.
The sanctions introduced Friday goal RT’s mum or dad group, TV-Novosti, in addition to a associated state media group known as Rossiya Segodnya, in addition to Dmitry Kiselyov, Rossiya Segodnya’s normal director. A 3rd group and its chief, Nelli Parutenko, had been additionally sanctioned for allegedly working a vote-buying scheme in Moldova designed to assist Moscow’s most popular candidates in an upcoming election.
