US Imposes New Sanctions on Russian Entities for Global Destabilization
The Biden administration has escalated its efforts to limit the global influence of Russian state media network RT, announcing sanctions on three entities and two individuals connected to Russia’s global destabilization campaigns. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that RT has expanded its operations beyond traditional media, engaging in covert cyber activities and military procurement.
Declassified US intelligence suggests that RT is now deeply embedded in Russia’s intelligence apparatus, focusing on influence operations aimed at undermining democratic processes worldwide.
“Thanks to new information, much of it originating from RT employees, we know that RT has cyber capabilities and has engaged in covert influence and military procurement activities,” Blinken stated during Friday’s announcement. The findings indicate that for over a year, Russian intelligence units have operated within RT to further their global destabilization efforts, positioning RT as a major player in spreading Kremlin-backed disinformation.
The US government’s aim, according to senior officials, is to expose the close ties between RT and Russian intelligence, while limiting the network’s ability to operate internationally. This effort includes private diplomatic discussions with allied nations to form a coalition to counter RT’s influence. CNN first reported on the State Department’s announcement.
In response, RT mocked the sanctions in an email to CNN, stating, “We’ve been broadcasting straight out of the KGB headquarters all this time.” The Russian Embassy in Washington has yet to comment on the developments.
This action is part of a broader US strategy to curtail Russia’s disinformation campaigns, particularly ahead of the 2024 US presidential election. Just a week ago, federal prosecutors charged two RT employees with funneling nearly $10 million into a US-based company to produce content aligned with Russian interests, aimed at influencing the American public.
RT’s activities are seen by US officials as critical in fostering pro-Russian sentiment globally, particularly in relation to the Ukraine war. RT broadcasts were banned across the European Union after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but the network has continued to expand in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, where its influence is growing.
The Biden administration’s approach to RT follows a similar path taken with Chinese tech giant Huawei, with US officials leading a global push to limit the company’s reach due to national security concerns. The same strategy is now being applied to RT, as the US seeks to reduce its role as a Kremlin mouthpiece worldwide.
US Closely Monitoring Developments in Bangladesh
In a separate issue, during Monday’s State Department briefing, the US strongly denied any involvement in the student-led uprising that resulted in the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh. This clarification came after a question from Press Xpress journalist Dastagir Jahangir, who raised concerns about Indian media reports suggesting US complicity in the anti-government demonstrations.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel firmly rejected these claims, stating that the US had no role in the protests. However, Patel emphasized the US’s readiness to work with the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, noting that the US remains committed to supporting Bangladesh’s democratic future and is closely monitoring the situation. Patel also addressed the US’s potential role in Bangladesh’s democratic election process following the unrest. He reiterated the US’s willingness
to engage constructively with the interim government but refrained from making speculative comments about future developments.
In response to questions about possible Chinese influence in the recent student protests in Bangladesh, Patel acknowledged the US’s strategic concerns in the region, though he stopped short of offering specific insights.
When further asked about Indian media reports linking the US to the Bangladesh uprising, Patel dismissed these allegations as unfounded, noting that such claims lacked credibility. He underscored that the US has no intention of interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs and remains focused on supporting democratic processes in the country.
