US to Unveil Evidence of RT’s Role in Russian Intelligence Operations

The Biden administration is preparing to launch a concerted effort to weaken the global influence of Russian state-controlled media outlet RT (formerly known as Russia Today), following revelations that the channel is involved in Russian intelligence operations. According to a report by CNN, based on sources within the US government, the administration intends to expose RT’s role in espionage and other covert operations orchestrated by the Kremlin.

The US State Department is expected to release declassified intelligence indicating that RT has been fully integrated into Russia’s intelligence apparatus. This revelation comes from a senior US official and three other sources familiar with the matter. One source told CNN that the intelligence community’s findings show that for over a year, the Russian government has quietly embedded a unit within RT responsible for gathering intelligence and conducting influence operations globally.

This marks a significant development in the perception of RT, which has long been viewed as a Kremlin propaganda tool. However, the new US intelligence suggests that RT’s role extends beyond media manipulation. According to one source, RT’s activities encompass a range of covert operations, including military procurement, making it a critical element of Russia’s broader intelligence strategy.

Diplomatic Campaign

In response to these revelations, the US is expected to mount a diplomatic campaign aimed at raising awareness among other nations about the risks posed by RT’s operations. The campaign seeks to inform countries that RT is not just a propaganda outlet but is actively involved in Russian intelligence efforts designed to undermine democratic processes and sow discord globally.

One of the key goals of this campaign, according to a US official, is to complicate RT’s ability to operate internationally by highlighting its ties to Russian intelligence. The US plans to use diplomatic channels to share intelligence on RT’s covert activities, hoping to build a coalition of countries willing to take collective action to counter RT’s influence. This effort is expected to gain momentum during the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Previous Actions Against RT

This latest move builds on a series of measures taken by the US against RT and its affiliates. Previously, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on RT’s management and related entities for their role in meddling in the 2020 US presidential election. Additionally, the US Department of Justice has charged two RT employees with violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and money laundering.

More recently, on 4 September, the State Department announced further retaliatory measures against Russia’s attempts to interfere in US elections, which also targeted Russian propaganda outlets, including RT. These actions are part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to confront Russian disinformation and covert operations aimed at destabilising Western democracies.

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