Justice Department Accuses Russian Nationals of Attempted Political Influence Propaganda

WASHINGTON, DC News (9/5/2024) – Yesterday the U.S. Department of Justice announced the unsealing of an indictment charging two employees of the Russian state-controlled media outlet RT with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Russian nationals Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, are accused of secretly funding and directing an undisclosed U.S.-based content creation company only referred to as “U.S. Company-1” to distribute thousands of videos furthering Russian government interests. This indictment is part of a broader investigation into covert Russian influence campaigns aimed at U.S. audiences.

According to court documents, Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva orchestrated the operation from Moscow, funneling nearly $10 million into the Tennessee-based content creation company, referred to as U.S. Company-1. The company produced and distributed videos that were disseminated widely across social media platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Since its public launch in November 2023, U.S. Company-1 has posted approximately 2,000 videos, garnering more than 16 million views on YouTube alone.

These videos covered contentious topics such as immigration, inflation, and domestic and foreign policy. While the content varied, much of it was aligned with Russian state objectives, particularly in amplifying divisions within U.S. society. U.S. audiences were unaware that the videos were funded and directed by RT, as U.S. Company-1 did not disclose its connection to the Russian government.

In addition to covertly funding and managing the U.S. company, the indictment alleges that Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva operated under false identities while working with the company. Kalashnikov, posing as an outside editor, oversaw content creation and the company’s operations, while Afanasyeva, using the fake personas Helena Shudra and Victoria Pesti, directed the production of hundreds of videos. In one instance, following a terrorist attack in Moscow, Afanasyeva instructed U.S. Company-1’s staff to blame Ukraine and the United States for the attack.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division noted that the defendants exploited the U.S.’s open and free media landscape to promote Russian government propaganda. “These covert operations were designed to undermine our democratic institutions and target millions of Americans with disinformation,” Olsen said.

The indictment is part of a broader, ongoing investigation into Russian government-sponsored influence campaigns. As part of this effort, the Justice Department also announced the seizure of 32 internet domains allegedly used in a parallel operation aimed at manipulating public opinion in the U.S. and other countries.

The seized domains were part of a larger Russian government-sponsored campaign known as “Doppelganger,” which relied on influencers, AI-generated content, and paid social media advertisements to drive internet traffic to websites that mimicked legitimate news outlets. The websites, created by Russian public relations companies under the direction of the Russian Presidential Administration, spread disinformation aimed at reducing international support for Ukraine and influencing the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election.

Among the domains seized were sites designed to impersonate well-known media organizations such as The Washington Post and CNN, with URLs that closely mirrored legitimate news outlets. These “cybersquatted” domains were used to trick viewers into consuming Russian state-sponsored content, which was then shared across social media platforms to amplify the reach of the propaganda.

FBI Director Christopher A. Wray highlighted the scope and sophistication of the Doppelganger campaign, stating, “The Russian government used cutting-edge AI and fabricated influencers to spread disinformation and covertly push its narratives. By seizing these domains, we are sending a clear message that foreign efforts to interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy will not be tolerated.”

The Justice Department described the Doppelganger campaign as part of a long-running Russian effort to undermine U.S. elections and influence voters. In addition to targeting the United States, the campaign sought to influence audiences in Germany, Mexico, Israel, and other countries, with the goal of supporting Russian government objectives.

The 32 seized domains were operated by Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, all of which are controlled by Sergei Kiriyenko, a senior official in the Russian Presidential Executive Office. The companies used various tactics, including paid social media ads and fake social media profiles, to promote the content created by Doppelganger and drive traffic to their cybersquatted domains.

U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of U.S. elections from foreign interference. “This seizure is a clear demonstration of our commitment to exposing and dismantling foreign malign influence campaigns that threaten the integrity of our democratic processes,” she said.

In total, the 32 seized domains are part of a larger effort by the Justice Department to disrupt Russian foreign influence operations. This marks the third major disruption of such operations in two months, underscoring the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to combat foreign interference in American elections.

Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva remain at large and are charged with conspiracy to violate FARA, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. If convicted, their sentences will be determined by a federal judge in accordance with U.S. sentencing guidelines.

The FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division continue to investigate the case, with further actions expected as part of the ongoing effort to combat foreign malign influence campaigns.

Story by multiple RFHC contributors