The US State Department has announced new sanctions on Russian state media, accusing the Kremlin-affiliated outlet RT of supporting the Russian military by running fundraising campaigns to supply its soldiers in Ukraine with sniper rifles, body armour, and other military equipment.
The State Department has also accused the Russian state media of engaging in information warfare, covert influence campaigns, and military procurement activities across Europe, Africa, and South America. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Kremlin-affiliated outlet as a key component of Russia’s war machine and its broader efforts to undermine democratic adversaries.
In reply, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested the sanctions against RT were unnecessary. The sanctions are part of a broader US strategy to counter Russian state media ahead of the 2024 election.