The United States recently imposed new sanctions on Russian state media, specifically targeting RT, accusing it of engaging in covert activities to influence elections and undermine democracies, including those in the US.
The US Department of State has taken the lead in this effort, launching a diplomatic campaign to warn other nations about the risks associated with RT’s operations, which are alleged to be intertwined with Russian intelligence.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a statement asserting that Rossiya Segodnya, along with five of its subsidiaries, was no longer functioning merely as a propaganda arm for the Russian government.
Instead, the US views these organisations as active participants in covert influence operations. Blinken went further, claiming that RT has engaged in activities aimed at undermining elections in America and other democracies, acting as a de facto extension of Russian intelligence efforts.
According to Blinken, RT was also linked to a crowdfunding campaign that provided military equipment to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. These efforts reportedly helped supply Russian troops with various forms of military gear, including sniper rifles, night vision devices, drones, and radio equipment.
This revelation was based on intelligence obtained from RT employees, indicating the organisation's involvement in covert operations and military procurement.
This recent move by the US comes as part of a broader government initiative to curtail the influence of RT globally. In addition to sanctions, the US government has implemented visa restrictions and other measures aimed at holding accountable those responsible for spreading disinformation to undermine democratic processes.
As part of these actions, the State Department has designated Rossiya Segodnya and its subsidiaries, including RT, under the Foreign Missions Act. This designation requires these entities to report all personnel and property associated with their operations in the United States.
These steps follow earlier revelations that two RT staff members are facing criminal charges for transferring approximately $10 million to a US business to promote programming aligned with Russian interests.
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