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Snapshot 4:Thu, Sep 5, 2024 6:32:14 PM GMT last edited by Brian

US Takes Big Measures Against Russia's Election Interference

US Takes Big Measures Against Russia's Election Interference

Above: Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum 2024, September 5, 2024, in Vladivostok, Russia. Image copyright: Contributor/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

  • The US Departments of Justice (DOJ), State, and Treasury Wednesday took major steps against what they claim to be Russian government-backed attempts to influence the upcoming US election in November.

  • The DOJ accused two employees of Russia Today (RT), Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, of investing $10M in a Tennessee-based company Tenet Media. The DOJ claims American political pundits who worked with Tenet were "deceive[d]" into pushing "hidden Russian government messaging."

  • Besides sanctioning the RT employees, the DOJ blocked dozens of internet domains used for a Russian influence campaign. The Treasury Department, meanwhile, accused the pair of money laundering and failure to register as foreign agents.


The Spin


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The Controversies



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