The US State Department announced on Friday (13 September) new sanctions against Russian state media, accusing a Kremlin-run media outlet of working closely with the Russian military and running fundraising campaigns to pay for sniper rifles, bulletproof vests and other equipment for soldiers taking part in the war in Ukraine. The State Department accused it of playing a key role in carrying out “covert influence activities” aimed at undermining American elections and democracies.
While RT has previously been sanctioned for allegedly “spreading Kremlin disinformation,” the latest US accusations cast doubt on its role beyond influence operations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said RT is a key part of Russia’s war machine and its efforts to undermine its democratic allies.
The State Department said it is launching a diplomatic campaign to alert nations to the risks associated with RT’s activities and revealed declassified U.S. intelligence findings suggesting RT is fully integrated with Russia’s intelligence operations around the world.
“We took these actions based on our conclusion that Rossiya Segodnya and these five affiliates are no longer simply propaganda and disinformation pipelines for the Russian government; they are engaged in covert influence activities aimed at undermining American elections and democracies, functioning as a de facto arm of Russia’s intelligence apparatus,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday.
The US State Department’s announcement is part of a broader US government effort to curtail RT’s influence around the world, CNN reported.
“We are taking action to hold accountable those who weaponize disinformation to undermine our democracy. That’s what we did last week when the State Department, Justice Department, Treasury Department, and FBI took a series of coordinated actions to counter Russian influence and interference in our elections and our democracy,” Blinken said.
“In addition to imposing sanctions, visa restrictions, and other measures, the State Department has also targeted the state-run and funded Russian media company Rossiya Segodnya and five of its subsidiaries, including RT, under the Foreign Missions Act. As a result, these actors are now required to notify the State Department of all personnel working in the United States, as well as their property,” it added.
(With contributions from agencies)
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