US accuses Russia of using state media to spread disinformation and ‘interfere and influence’ elections

Federal law enforcement agencies have seized 32 Russian-backed websites that prosecutors say were designed to sow disinformation and discord in the US ahead of 2024 elections.

Separately, two employees of Russia’s state-controlled media network RT have been criminally charged with allegedly launching a $10 million propaganda scheme that enlisted US social media influencers.

The allegations revealed in warrants and unsealed indictments are evidence of Russia’s attempts to “engage in a covert campaign to interfere and influence the outcome of our country’s elections,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in remarks on Wednesday.

The scope of the alleged efforts “make clear the ends to which the Russian government including at its highest levels is willing to go to undermine our democratic process,” Garland said.

Garland added that “Russia’s preferences have not changed” from 2016 and 2020 elections.

Court filings allege that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s allies directed Russian public relations companies to promote disinformation and state-sponsored narratives, with websites echoing Russian disinformation and propaganda intended to suppress international support for Ukraine and influence voters ahead of 2024 elections.

Two Russian nationals who work for Russian state-controlled media outlet RT — Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva — were also charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Prosecutors allege they relied on a Tennessee-based company and contracted with US-based social media influencers to target specific demographics and regions as part of a calculated effort to subvert the election.

The companies and influencers “never