Blinken Accuses Russia’s RT of Conducting Intelligence Activities Abroad – Reuters

By Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Friday that countries should regard the actions of the Russian state broadcaster RT as equivalent to covert intelligence operations, as he announced new sanctions targeting alleged Russian influence campaigns abroad.

Recently, the United States brought money-laundering charges against two RT employees and imposed sanctions on Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan. U.S. officials claimed these actions were part of a scheme involving the hiring of an American firm to produce online content aimed at influencing the 2024 U.S. elections.

Blinken addressed reporters at the State Department, asserting that Russian media outlets like RT are effectively functioning as extensions of Russia’s intelligence services. He noted that RT has evolved from merely a media organization to one that possesses cyber capabilities and engages in covert information and influence operations internationally, with much of this information sourced from former and current RT staff.

"Today, we’re announcing that these Kremlin-backed media outlets are not only acting covertly to undermine democracy in the United States but are also interfering in the sovereign matters of other nations," Blinken stated.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has drastically deteriorated U.S.-Russian relations since President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion in 2022. In response, the Biden administration has armed Ukraine and led a significant international sanctions effort against Moscow.

RT has ridiculed these U.S. measures. Simonyan has claimed that Washington is attempting to obstruct the broadcaster’s journalistic operations and has pledged to circumvent the sanctions to continue its work.

Russia’s embassy in Washington has not yet responded to requests for comment on these developments.

The U.S., Britain, and Canada are set to collaborate on a diplomatic initiative to inform other nations about Russian influence efforts, including sharing relevant evidence.

"Each government will, of course, decide how to address this threat, but we encourage every ally and partner to begin by treating RT’s activities as they would other Russian intelligence operations within their own borders," said Blinken.

UNACKNOWLEDGED NEWS OUTLETS

On Friday, the Biden administration imposed sanctions on three Russian entities and two individuals associated with RT, connected to what it termed a "malign influence campaign" in Moldova, according to statements from the State Department.

Moldova, which shares a border with Ukraine, has become a focal point in the geopolitical struggle between Moscow and the West. In June, the U.S. and its allies accused Russia of attempting to manipulate the outcome of presidential elections in Moldova, scheduled for next month.

Blinken expressed confidence that RT would likely coordinate with Russian intelligence services to influence the election outcome.

The State Department also identified news outlets secretly managed by RT, including the website African Stream and the English-language platform Red based in Berlin. Additionally, RT has reportedly engaged a Paris-based journalist to manage influence projects targeting French-speaking audiences, though the identity of the journalist remains undisclosed.

The State Department noted that Russia is also involved in operations aimed at destabilizing the government of Argentina and exacerbating tensions with its neighboring countries.

"We anticipate that the Russian government will utilize RT, its affiliates, and its overall covert strategies to pursue these harmful objectives," stated the fact sheet released by the department.