US imposes sanctions on Russian state media for raising money for Moscow soldiers in Ukraine

The US State Department announced the imposition of New sanctions on Russian state mediaaccusing a Kremlin news site of working hand in hand with the Russian military and operating fundraising campaigns to pay for sniper rifles, bulletproof vests and other equipment for soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

While the news site, RT, has already been sanctioned for its work in spreading Kremlin propaganda and disinformation, the new allegations suggest its role goes beyond influencing operations. Instead, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, RT is a crucial part of Russia’s war machine and its efforts to undermine its democratic adversaries.

“RT wants its new covert intelligence capabilities — like its long-standing efforts to spread propaganda and disinformation — to remain hidden,” Blinken told reporters Friday. “Our most powerful antidote to Russia’s lies is the truth. It is shining a bright light on what the Kremlin is trying to do under the cloak of darkness.”

RT has also created websites that appear to be legitimate news sites in order to spread propaganda and disinformation in Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere, officials said. They say the agency has also expanded its use of cyber operations with a new unit linked to Russian intelligence created last year.

The crowdfunding effort was spread on Russian social media and sought to raise money for military supplies, some of which were sourced in China, officials said. There were no obvious links between RT and the fundraising campaign, nor any indication that Chinese officials knew their products were being sold to Russia.

The supplies list also included night vision equipment, drones, radios and generators.

RT’s actions show “that it is not just a disinformation hub, but a full-fledged member of the Russian government’s intelligence and operations apparatus,” said Jamie Rubin, director of the State Department’s Center for Global Engagement.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told The Associated Press that the accusations were “nonsense.” RT is a “media outlet (and) quite effective,” he added.

Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channels YouTube, WhatsApp and to newsletter. Turn on notifications and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.