US Accuses Russian TV Network of Running Intelligence Operations

The U.S. Department of State on Friday announced new sanctions on Russian state media and accused a Kremlin-operated television network of working with the Kremlin to conduct covert influence operations.

In announcing the sanctions, Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused the network, RT, of acting as an arm of Russia's intelligence agencies in addition to running fundraising campaigns to pay for rifles, body armor and other equipment for Russian President Vladimir Putin's soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

RT, which also maintains a prominent English-language website and a social media presence, has been sanctioned by the U.S. in the past for spreading propaganda and disinformation.

"RT wants its new covert intelligence capabilities, like its longstanding propaganda disinformation efforts, to remain hidden," Blinken said during a Friday news conference. "Our most powerful antidote to Russia's lies is the truth. It's shining a bright light on what the Kremlin is trying to do under the cover of darkness."

Blinken added, "We urge every ally, every partner, to start by treating RT's activities as they do other intelligence activities by Russia within their borders."

In a statement, the State Department said RT has "engaged in information operations, covert influence and military procurement" in operations "targeting countries around the world, including in Europe, Africa, and North and South America."

The State Department also accused RT of expanding its use of cyber operations through a new unit that has ties to Russian intelligence.

In regards to raising money for Putin's troops, the State Department detailed an alleged "large online crowdfunding platform" operating within RT and through social media channels that's giving material support and weaponry to Russia's military in Ukraine.

"RT Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Head of International Broadcasting for Sputnik Anton Anisimov administers this RT-run military crowdfunding program," the statement said.

Some of the equipment that this effort has obtained comes from China, including reconnaissance drones. The Associated Press (AP) noted there were no direct connections between RT and the fundraising campaign, or any information that showed Chinese officials knew their equipment was being sold to Russia.

The new sanctions are against TV-Novosti, RT's parent company, as well as another state media organization called Rossiya Segodnya and that company's general director, Dmitry Kiselyov.

Another organization and its leader—identified as Nelli Parutenko—were also hit with sanctions for an alleged scheme of attempting to buy votes to influence the upcoming Moldovan election in favor of candidates backed by the Kremlin.

In a response to a CNN report about the sanctions, RT's press office joked about the accusations, saying it has operated out of "KGB headquarters all this time."

"No, but seriously, we're running out of popcorn to sit and watch what the U.S. government will come up with next about us," RT's press office said.

Maria Zakharova, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, also mocked the actions taken against RT.

"I think a new profession should appear in the United States—a specialist in sanctions already imposed against Russia," Zakharova wrote on Telegram.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

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