Russia Accused of Election Meddling with Kremlin-Baked News
The United States accused Russia of trying to influence the 2024 presidential election through Kremlin-controlled media and online propaganda platforms, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. It’s still unknown the election outcome the Kremlin prefers.
Earlier this year, before Biden quit the presidential race and endorsed Kamala Harris, Vladimir Putin said that Biden was more “predictable” than former President Donald Trump. Vladimir Putin also said that time the outcome doesn’t matter, at all, since the Kremlin is ready to work with whoever wins the election.
What Happened on September 4?
On September 4, the U.S. accused Russia of trying to shape the 2024 elections through media outlets and online platforms controlled by the Kremlin to deceive Americans into unintentionally consuming Russian propaganda.
According to the Justice Department, the Kremlin has employed media outlets like RT, formally known as Russia Today, and other multiple online platforms. The main reason is to spread misinformation to the U.S. voters but the Russian government propaganda also aims to reduce international support of Ukraine.
FBI Director Christopher Wray claimed that the Justice Department had taken action against 32 domains that spread Russian government propaganda. Also, according to the department, the propaganda is secretly communicated through the domains by Russian companies under the control of the Russian executive administration. Its purpose is not only to influence the presidential elections but also to weaken international transport for Ukraine and strengthen pro-Russian policies.
Attorney General Merrick Garland claimed in the news release that according to their court filings Sergei Kiriyenko, the first deputy chief of staff and an important person from Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, directed Russian public relations companies to promote disinformation. General Merrick Garland also said, “An internal planning document created by the Kremlin states that the goal of the campaign is to secure Russia’s preferred outcome in the election.”
The outcome preferred by Putin was not specified.
Two employees from RT were charged in a $10 million scheme. They were distributing content with hidden Russian government messaging to U.S. audiences. Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena, 27, were charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“The United States will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to exploit our country’s free exchange of ideas in order to covertly further its own propaganda efforts,” said Garland. The investigation remains ongoing.
What is “witch-hunt” and why does it aim to scare the U.S. population?
The move will target the U.S. media in response to Washington’s actions against RT.
”There will be a response to the actions of the United States authorities, which directly contradict their obligations in the areas of providing free access to information and media pluralism,” Russian Foreign Ministery spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on September 5.
One month ago, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco claimed in a speech that Russia was the biggest threat to the U.S. presidential elections. That time, nobody really considered her words. Here we are, a month later, having the proof that Russia is up to something.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen from the Justice Department said that seizing these domains shows how Russia is ramping up its efforts to spread false information and sway American options. He noted that Russia and its allies are increasingly using tactics to stir up confusion and division in the U.S.
Olsen emphasized that Russia has a history of trying to disrupt the U.S. through propaganda and misleading influence campaigns. The new claims suggest that Russia is now pretending to be part of the American media to carry out these schemes.
These tactics include using RT to promote anti-U.S. messages and setting up fake websites and social media accounts to amplify these ideas. Often, these fake networks focus on issues like immigration and crime, and many Americans might not realize that the information they are seeing is coming from or being boosted by the Kremlin.
Along with the domains seizures the U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and 2 entities in response to Russia’s effort to influence the U.S. presidential election. Among those sanctioned are Margarita Simonyan, RT’s editor-in-chief, and Yelizaveta Brodskaya, RT’s deputy editor-in-chief.
The Treasury Department announced some sections, complementing the law enforcement actions announced by the Justice Department and the State Department’s designation of the Rossi Segodnya media group, including 5 of its subsidiaries:
- RIA Novosti
- RT
- TV-Novosti
- Ruptly
- Sputnik
As a foreign mission, these entities must now report all personnel working in the U.S. and disclose all real property they hold within the United States, according to the State Department. That’s not all! The Department also introduced visa restrictions for individuals who act on behalf of Kremlin-supported media organizations. Considering that visa applications are confidential, the names of the people affected will be not made public.
A reward of $10 million for information about RaHDit
The State Department also announced a reward of up to $10 million for information about Russian Angry Hackers Did It. The group is involved in election influence abroad and posing a threat to the 2024 presidential election, especially through cyber-enabled influence operations.
“Members of RaHDit disseminate and amplify propaganda and disinformation from the Kremlin-funded and directed organization RT and RaHDit is associated with Russian intelligence services. RaHDit is Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), officer Aleksei Garashchenko,” the Department said.
2024, was by far, one of the most intense and interesting years in American political history. It all started with Biden’s health condition and drop out of the presidential race, continued with the first black woman who is most likely to become the President of The United States, a powerful Donald Trump that fights for the greatness of America and shouldn’t be underestimated, and now… is this a cybernetic war?
Over the past few years, humanity has been hit by a lot of challenges, wars, viruses, and natural disasters. Will all these end soon? Or are we supposed to learn something in order to achieve the healing process we all dream about? I guess we’ll find out sooner or later.
In just a few months we’ll know who is going to be the next American President and maybe the outcome will help us receive some answers. It’s clear that, as modest American citizens we can’t do anything, but trust in the process and hope that everything will fall into its place.
Have you decided? Who are you voting with? We all have to choose wisely, but most importantly, we all have to go out and vote! Don’t let anyone decide for your future! This is your right to express your opinion and you shouldn’t ignore it.
We advise you to make everything more fun and talk with a group of friends. On election day, you can organize a pizza party and have fun while waiting for the outcome of the presidential elections. Even though the candidates might not be your favorite, you should see the light in the dark and be as optimistic as possible.
We recommend you surprise your friends with these t-shirts found on Amazon, they will surely help you get into the spirit!
If you are interested in finding out more about this topic, here is another article you should check out: 5 Reasons Why America Would Crush Russia in a World War.
