Official government announcements, major news outlets

U.S. Imposes Sanctions on RT for Covert Influence Operations, Cyber Capabilities, and Military Fundraising

Sep 13, 2024, 06:43 PM

The United States has imposed new sanctions on Russia's state-controlled media outlet RT, accusing it of engaging in covert influence operations and raising funds for Moscow's military activities in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the sanctions target three entities and two individuals connected to a broader Russian campaign to destabilize countries worldwide. Blinken stated that RT had direct knowledge of Russian government actors embedding a cyber unit within the network, which facilitated information flow to Russian intelligence services. The U.S., along with Canada and Britain, has accused RT of working on behalf of Russian intelligence agencies and conducting fundraising campaigns to procure sniper rifles, body armor, and other equipment for Russian troops. RT responded sarcastically to the allegations, claiming to broadcast directly from KGB headquarters and highlighting its cyber capabilities.