The US State Department says Russia's RT has “gone from being a media outlet” to having cyber capabilities.
The United States has imposed new sanctions against Russian state media outlet RT, accusing the broadcaster of engaging in “covert intelligence and influence operations” around the world and procuring weapons for the Russian military.
In a statement on Friday, the US State Department said RT, formerly known as Russia Today, had “evolved from being merely a media outlet to being an entity with cyber capabilities.”
“It also engages in information operations, covert influence and military acquisitions. These operations target countries around the world, including Europe, Africa and North and South America.”
Washington also claimed that an online crowdfunding platform operating within RT and on social media provided “material support and weapons” to Russian military units in Ukraine.
The weapons include sniper rifles, bulletproof vests, drones and other equipment, the State Department said.
Friday's announcement comes amid years of strained relations between the United States and Russia over the latter country's invasion of Ukraine.
The administration of US President Joe Biden, a staunch critic of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, has issued waves of sanctions against Russian individuals and companies since the war began in 2022.
US officials have also accused Russia of interfering in the election.
Last week, the US Justice Department announced a series of actions to counter Russian efforts to interfere in the November election, including criminal charges against two RT employees it accused of participating in a Moscow-directed influence operation.
Speaking to reporters about the sanctions on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Russian state media outlet “wants its new covert intelligence capabilities, like its old propaganda and disinformation efforts, to remain hidden.”
“Our most powerful antidote to Russia’s lies is the truth,” Blinken said. “It is shining a light on what the Kremlin is trying to do under cover of darkness.”
RT has created websites posing as legitimate news sites to spread disinformation and propaganda in Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere, officials said.
They said the outlet also expanded its use of cyber operations with a new unit with ties to Russian intelligence created last year.
The Russian embassy in Washington, DC, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters news agency.
When CNN asked for comment, the US media outlet said RT “responded with a mocking email that read in part: ‘We have been broadcasting directly from KGB headquarters this whole time.’”
