The US State Division said that Russia’s RT community has “past the scope of a media group” and has on-line capabilities.
The USA has imposed new sanctions on Russia’s state-run RT media, accusing the community of participating in covert “affect and intelligence operations” all over the world and procuring weapons for the Russian navy.
RT, previously referred to as Russia At this time, “is now not only a media group however an entity with cyber capabilities,” the State Division stated in a press release on Friday.
“It additionally engages in info operations, covert affect and navy procurement. These operations goal nations all over the world, together with Europe, Africa, North and South America.
Washington additionally claims that on-line crowdfunding platforms operated inside RT and on social media offered “materials help and weaponry” to Russian navy forces in Ukraine.
The State Division stated the weapons included sniper rifles, physique armor, drones and different tools.
Friday’s announcement comes amid tensions between the USA and Russia over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
U.S. President Joe Biden is a staunch critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his administration has imposed waves of sanctions on Russian people and corporations because the struggle broke out in 2022.
U.S. officers have additionally accused Russia of interfering within the election.
Final week, the U.S. Division of Justice introduced a collection of actions to counter Russian efforts to intrude within the November vote, together with legal prices in opposition to two RT workers for taking part in a Moscow-directed affect operation.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed reporters about Friday’s sanctions that Russian state media “needs its new covert intelligence capabilities, like its longstanding efforts to advertise disinformation, to stay hidden.”
“Our strongest antidote to Russian lies is the reality,” Blinken stated. “It shines a vivid gentle on what the Kremlin is making an attempt to do underneath the duvet of darkness.”
RT created a web site posing as a professional information web site to unfold disinformation and propaganda in Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere, officers stated.
They declare the outlet has additionally expanded its use of cyber operations by way of a brand new unit it created final yr with ties to Russian intelligence.
The Russian embassy in Washington didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters request for remark.
When CNN was requested for remark by US information retailers, it stated RT “responded with a taunting e mail that learn, partly: ‘We’ve got been broadcasting immediately from KGB headquarters.'”
