The U.S. Department of State announced new measures on Wednesday to combat efforts by Russian-backed entities to influence the upcoming 2024 U.S. elections. The steps are part of a broader government effort to prevent covert interference by Kremlin-supported media and hackers.
The State Department introduced a new visa restriction policy, targeting individuals using Kremlin-linked media organizations to conduct covert activities. “These actions are aimed at those responsible for nefarious, covert influence activities, not for the content of any reporting or disinformation,” the department said in a statement.
Additionally, six Russian media entities, including RT and Sputnik, were designated as foreign missions under the Foreign Missions Act. This requires them to disclose their U.S. personnel and properties. “These entities are effectively controlled by the Russian government,” the statement added.
A $10 million reward was also offered for information on foreign interference, particularly from the group RaHDit, known as “Russian Angry Hackers Did It.” The group has previously influenced elections in other countries and is seen as a potential threat to the 2024 U.S. elections.
In a coordinated effort, the Treasury Department sanctioned 10 individuals and two entities for ties to the Russian government. Meanwhile, the FBI announced a warrant to seize assets from Social Design Agency, a Russian organization accused of election interference.
These measures reflect the U.S. government’s commitment to safeguarding its democratic processes from foreign interference.
