US imposes sanctions on Russian state media for fundraising efforts to support troops in Ukraine

The U.S. State Department unveiled fresh sanctions on Russian state media on Friday, accusing the Kremlin-owned news outlet RT of collaborating closely with the Russian military. The allegations assert that RT has been involved in fundraising campaigns to acquire sniper rifles, body armor, and other military equipment for soldiers fighting in Ukraine. These actions suggest that RT’s influence extends beyond spreading propaganda and disinformation, positioning it as a significant component of Russia’s efforts to undermine democratic nations, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In addition to disseminating Kremlin propaganda, RT has reportedly established fake news websites to spread disinformation and propaganda across various regions including Europe, Africa, and South America. Officials claim that RT has broadened its cyber operations, establishing a new unit with links to Russian intelligence last year. The fundraising campaign organized by RT aimed to procure military supplies, some of which were obtained from China. Nevertheless, there are no apparent ties between RT and the fundraising initiative, and no evidence that Chinese authorities were aware of the products being sold to Russia.

The State Department’s Global Engagement Center head, Jamie Rubin, described RT not only as a source of disinformation but as an integral part of the Russian government’s intelligence operations. The sanctions imposed target RT’s parent company, TV-Novosti, and another state media entity named Rossiya Segodnya, in addition to Dmitry Kiselyov, the general director of Rossiya Segodnya. Another organization led by Nelli Parutenko was also sanctioned for allegedly orchestrating a vote-buying scheme in Moldova to support Moscow’s preferred candidates in an upcoming election.