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Two RT Employees Indicted for Covertly Funding and Directing U.S. Company that Published Thousands of Videos in Furtherance of Russian Interests
In a significant move to safeguard the integrity of the American media landscape, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged two Russian nationals with an elaborate $10 million scheme aimed at influencing U.S. audiences. The DOJ has accused Kostiantyn Kalashnikov (31) and Elena Afanasyeva (27), both employees of Russian state-controlled media outlet Russia Today (RT), of engaging in a covert operation designed to push Russian government messaging across the United States.
This indictment is part of a larger effort to counter foreign interference in domestic affairs, particularly from authoritarian regimes that seek to undermine democratic processes. Let’s take a closer look at the details surrounding this case and the broader implications for U.S. media and national security.
The charges, which were unsealed in the Southern District of New York, accuse Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the DOJ, the pair funneled approximately $10 million into an intricate campaign to influence public opinion in the U.S. by using a Tennessee-based online content creation company to distribute Russian propaganda.
In addition to violating FARA, the indictment outlines how both Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva engaged in money laundering to conceal the financial transactions involved in their operation. By channeling funds through a series of entities, the duo allegedly made it difficult to trace the money back to its true source — the Russian government. This scheme was specifically designed to obscure the nature of their activities and evade U.S. law enforcement.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued a strong condemnation of the actions taken by these Russian nationals. In his statement, Garland emphasized the DOJ’s commitment to preserving the free exchange of ideas while protecting the U.S. from covert foreign manipulation.
> "The Justice Department will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to exploit our country’s free exchange of ideas in order to covertly further its own propaganda efforts, and our investigation into this matter remains ongoing."
This statement underscores the seriousness with which the DOJ views this case, as well as the broader issue of foreign influence operations.
Russia Today, or RT, is a media outlet widely recognized as a mouthpiece for the Russian government. While it portrays itself as a news organization, many experts consider RT to be a tool of the Russian state, designed to advance its geopolitical interests under the guise of independent journalism. Both Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva are employed by RT, raising serious concerns about the organization’s activities within the U.S.
The DOJ’s allegations suggest that these employees were involved in a covert effort to manipulate public opinion by creating content that subtly promoted Russian government viewpoints. By hiding the true source of the messaging, Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva hoped to influence Americans without revealing their agenda.
One of the most troubling aspects of this case is the alleged use of covert funding to mask the true origins of the propaganda being distributed. By outsourcing content creation to a Tennessee-based company, the defendants attempted to bypass scrutiny and make their messaging appear homegrown, rather than orchestrated by a foreign power. This tactic is particularly dangerous in an era where online platforms allow for the rapid dissemination of information.
In recent years, the rise of disinformation and foreign propaganda has emerged as a significant threat to democratic societies. By infiltrating media ecosystems with misleading or biased content, foreign actors can sow discord, undermine public trust in institutions, and even influence political outcomes. The DOJ’s charges in this case are a clear signal that the U.S. government is taking proactive steps to prevent such interference.
Though the indictment has been made public, the DOJ has confirmed that both Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva remain at large. This case is part of a broader effort by U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies to identify and disrupt foreign influence operations that target U.S. citizens.
While the investigation is ongoing, the unsealing of this indictment represents a critical moment in the fight against covert foreign interference. The DOJ’s actions send a powerful message that attempts to manipulate U.S. audiences from abroad will be met with severe consequences.
This indictment is part of a larger effort to counter foreign interference in domestic affairs, particularly from authoritarian regimes that seek to undermine democratic processes. Let’s take a closer look at the details surrounding this case and the broader implications for U.S. media and national security.
Key Allegations in the DOJ Indictment
The charges, which were unsealed in the Southern District of New York, accuse Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to the DOJ, the pair funneled approximately $10 million into an intricate campaign to influence public opinion in the U.S. by using a Tennessee-based online content creation company to distribute Russian propaganda.
Violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)
The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) mandates that individuals or entities acting on behalf of foreign governments disclose their relationships and activities within the U.S. The law aims to prevent covert foreign influence, ensuring that U.S. citizens are fully aware when a foreign entity is attempting to shape their views. Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva allegedly violated this law by failing to register themselves and their activities with the DOJ, thereby hiding their efforts to manipulate U.S. audiences with pro-Russian content.Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
In addition to violating FARA, the indictment outlines how both Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva engaged in money laundering to conceal the financial transactions involved in their operation. By channeling funds through a series of entities, the duo allegedly made it difficult to trace the money back to its true source — the Russian government. This scheme was specifically designed to obscure the nature of their activities and evade U.S. law enforcement.
Statement from the Attorney General
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued a strong condemnation of the actions taken by these Russian nationals. In his statement, Garland emphasized the DOJ’s commitment to preserving the free exchange of ideas while protecting the U.S. from covert foreign manipulation.
> "The Justice Department will not tolerate attempts by an authoritarian regime to exploit our country’s free exchange of ideas in order to covertly further its own propaganda efforts, and our investigation into this matter remains ongoing."
This statement underscores the seriousness with which the DOJ views this case, as well as the broader issue of foreign influence operations.
RT’s Role in the Scheme
Russia Today, or RT, is a media outlet widely recognized as a mouthpiece for the Russian government. While it portrays itself as a news organization, many experts consider RT to be a tool of the Russian state, designed to advance its geopolitical interests under the guise of independent journalism. Both Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva are employed by RT, raising serious concerns about the organization’s activities within the U.S.
The DOJ’s allegations suggest that these employees were involved in a covert effort to manipulate public opinion by creating content that subtly promoted Russian government viewpoints. By hiding the true source of the messaging, Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva hoped to influence Americans without revealing their agenda.
Hidden Propaganda and its Threat to U.S. Democracy
One of the most troubling aspects of this case is the alleged use of covert funding to mask the true origins of the propaganda being distributed. By outsourcing content creation to a Tennessee-based company, the defendants attempted to bypass scrutiny and make their messaging appear homegrown, rather than orchestrated by a foreign power. This tactic is particularly dangerous in an era where online platforms allow for the rapid dissemination of information.
In recent years, the rise of disinformation and foreign propaganda has emerged as a significant threat to democratic societies. By infiltrating media ecosystems with misleading or biased content, foreign actors can sow discord, undermine public trust in institutions, and even influence political outcomes. The DOJ’s charges in this case are a clear signal that the U.S. government is taking proactive steps to prevent such interference.
A Continuing Investigation
Though the indictment has been made public, the DOJ has confirmed that both Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva remain at large. This case is part of a broader effort by U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies to identify and disrupt foreign influence operations that target U.S. citizens.
While the investigation is ongoing, the unsealing of this indictment represents a critical moment in the fight against covert foreign interference. The DOJ’s actions send a powerful message that attempts to manipulate U.S. audiences from abroad will be met with severe consequences.
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