US Charges RT Employees in Alleged $10M Election Influence Scheme
Two Russian nationals face indictment for allegedly running a covert propaganda operation through US social media. The scheme aimed to sway the upcoming presidential election.
The United States Department of Justice has unveiled charges against two employees of RT, the Russian state-controlled broadcaster, for their alleged involvement in a covert operation to influence the upcoming November 2024 presidential election. Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, both Russian nationals, face accusations of orchestrating a $10 million scheme to disseminate Russian propaganda across popular social media platforms.
The indictment, announced on September 4, 2024, charges Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If apprehended and convicted, they could face up to 5 years imprisonment for FARA violations and 20 years for money laundering charges.
According to prosecutors, the alleged operation involved a Tennessee-based web production company that published English-language videos on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X. Since November 2023, nearly 2,000 videos have been posted, garnering over 16 million views on YouTube alone. The content reportedly focused on divisive issues in the United States, such as immigration and inflation.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that the scheme involved creating and distributing content for US audiences with "hidden Russian government messaging." This case highlights the ongoing concerns about foreign interference in US elections, a issue that has gained prominence since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In a parallel move, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new visa restrictions and measures against RT's parent company, Rossiya Segodnya, and its subsidiaries. Blinken emphasized that RT has evolved beyond a media organization, allegedly contracting with a private company to pay unwitting Americans to spread Kremlin messaging.
"RT has moved beyond being simply a media organisation and had contracted with a private company to pay unwitting Americans millions of dollars to carry the Kremlin's message to influence the U.S. elections and undermine democracy."
The case, filed in the Southern District of New York, one of the most prominent federal court districts in the US, aims to expose what Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco described as "the hidden hand of adversaries pulling strings of influence from behind the curtain."
This indictment comes amidst increasing pressure on social media platforms to combat foreign influence campaigns. It also underscores the evolving nature of propaganda dissemination, leveraging popular platforms like YouTube (founded in 2005), TikTok (launched internationally in 2017), Instagram (founded in 2010), and X (formerly Twitter, established in 2006).
The charges against Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva reflect the ongoing challenges in enforcing the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which was enacted in 1938 to counter foreign propaganda. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, this case serves as a reminder of the persistent threats to electoral integrity and the importance of vigilance against covert foreign influence operations.
