WASHINGTON – The U.S. State Department announced new sanctions on Russian state media Friday, accusing a Kremlin news outlet of working hand-in-hand with the Russian military and running fundraising campaigns to pay for military equipment for soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

While the outlet, RT, has previously been sanctioned for spreading Kremlin propaganda and disinformation, the new allegations suggest its role goes far beyond influence operations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described RT as a key part of Russia’s war machine and its efforts to undermine democratic adversaries.

RT has been accused of operating covert intelligence capabilities, creating fake news sites to spread disinformation, and engaging in cyber operations with ties to Russian intelligence. The outlet also ran a crowd-sourcing campaign to raise funds for military supplies like sniper rifles, body armor, night-vision equipment, drones, radios, and generators.

According to Jamie Rubin, head of the State Department’s Global Engagement Center, RT is more than just a propaganda outlet – it is a fully-fledged member of the Russian government’s intelligence apparatus.

While President Putin’s spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “nonsense,” the sanctions target RT’s parent organization, TV-Novosti, and other state media groups involved in nefarious activities.

This move comes as part of heightened scrutiny on Russia’s global propaganda efforts leading up to the U.S. election. Recent actions taken by the Biden administration indicate a growing concern over Russian interference tactics.

It is clear that Russia’s influence operations are aimed at furthering its agenda and undermining democratic institutions. As the international community continues to grapple with the threat of disinformation, the fight for truth and transparency remains crucial.