(WASHINGTON) — The Biden administration announced a series of actions on Wednesday aimed at countering Russian influence in the upcoming election. These actions include criminal charges against two employees of a Russian state-run media company and the seizure of internet domains used by the Kremlin to spread disinformation.
These measures represent a U.S. government attempt to disrupt a persistent threat from Russia that American officials have long warned has the potential to sow discord and create confusion among voters. Washington has stated that Russia remains the primary threat to elections, even as the FBI investigates a hack by Iran of Donald Trump’s campaign and an attempt to breach the Joe Biden-.
One criminal case accuses two employees of RT, a Russian-state funded media organization designated as a foreign agent by the Justice Department, of secretly funding a Tennessee-based content creation company to publish nearly 2,000 videos containing Russian propaganda. The defendants, who remain at large, used fake identities and the company was unaware it was being used by Russia.
In a separate action, officials announced the seizure of 32 internet domains that were used by the Kremlin to spread Russian propaganda and undermine global support for Ukraine.
Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that these actions relate to Russia’s use of state media to enlist unwitting American influencers to spread propaganda and disinformation.
Intelligence agencies have previously accused Russia of using disinformation to attempt to interfere in the election. These new steps demonstrate the depth of U.S. concerns and signal legal actions against those suspected of being involved.
“Today’s announcement highlights the lengths some foreign governments go to undermine American democratic institutions,” the State Department said. “But these foreign governments should also know that we will not tolerate foreign malign actors intentionally interfering and undermining free and fair elections.”
In a speech last month, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco stated that Russia remained the biggest threat to election integrity, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin and “his proxies are using increasingly sophisticated techniques in their interference operations. They’re targeting specific voter demographics and swing-state voters to in an effort to manipulate presidential and congressional election outcomes. They’re intent on co-opting unwitting Americans on social media to push narratives advancing Russian interests.”
Much of the concern surrounding Russia centers on cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns designed to influence the November vote. These tactics include using state media like RT to advance anti-U.S. messages and content, as well as networks of fake websites and social media accounts that amplify the claims and inject them into American’s online conversations. Typically, these networks capitalize on polarizing political topics such as immigration, crime, or the .
In many cases, Americans may be unaware that the content they see online either originated or was amplified by the Kremlin.
“Russia is taking a whole of government approach to influence the election including the presidential race,” an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said this summer during a briefing. The official spoke on condition of anonymity under rules worked out with that office.
Groups linked to the Kremlin are increasingly hiring marketing and communications firms within Russia to outsource some of the work of creating digital propaganda while also covering their tracks, the officials said during the briefing with reporters.
Two such firms were the subject of new U.S. sanctions announced in March. Authorities say the two Russian companies created fake websites and social media profiles to spread Kremlin disinformation.
The ultimate goal, however, is to get Americans to spread Russian disinformation without questioning its origin. People are far more likely to trust and repost information that they believe is coming from a domestic source, officials said. Fake websites designed to mimic U.S. news outlets and AI-generated social media profiles are just two methods.
Messages left with the Russian Embassy were not immediately returned.