Washington, DC, September 5: The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and two Russian entities in response to Moscow's efforts to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions and criminal charges targeting what the Biden administration describes as Russian government-backed attempts to sway U.S. public opinion ahead of the November election.
The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated these individuals and entities as part of a coordinated U.S. response to Russia's malign influence efforts.
Attorney General Merrick Garland revealed charges against two employees of the Russian state-funded media network RT, accusing them of conspiring to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. These charges were detailed in an indictment unsealed in the Southern District of New York.
The U.S. alleges that Russian state-sponsored actors have used various tools, including AI-generated deep fakes and disinformation, to undermine trust in the U.S. election system and institutions. The Treasury Department noted that RT began a more covert operation in early 2024, using a front company to disguise its involvement and influence American audiences.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized that these actions reflect the administration's commitment to holding state-sponsored actors accountable for efforts that undermine public trust in democratic institutions.
During a White House briefing, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin was likely aware of RT's activities.
Additionally, the State Department announced related measures, including a new visa restriction policy for individuals acting on behalf of Kremlin-supported media, designating six RT affiliates in the U.S. as "foreign missions," and offering up to $10 million for information on foreign interference in U.S. elections.
U.S. intelligence agencies have previously assessed that Russia intends to interfere in the 2024 election and flagged RT as a source of Russian propaganda and disinformation.
.png)
