Is Russia meddling in the 2024 US election? What we know so far

The United States government has raised alarms over Russia’s alleged efforts to interfere in American elections, particularly ahead of the 2024 US presidential race.

Russian disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and covert operations have been linked to Moscow’s strategic goal of undermining US democracy, manipulating public opinion, and supporting candidates aligned with its interests.

Recent actions by the US Treasury Department, Justice Department, and intelligence agencies have intensified scrutiny of Russian state actors, particularly the media outlet RT (Russia Today), which has been accused of playing a central role in these efforts.

How is RT involved?

RT, established in 2005 as a Russian state-controlled media outlet, has been a key player in spreading Kremlin-backed narratives internationally. With broadcasts in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Arabic, it has aimed to enhance Russia’s global image while taking a confrontational stance toward Western policies.

The US accuses RT of being a foreign propaganda tool, with Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan consistently promoting anti-Western rhetoric and supporting the Kremlin’s agenda.

Simonyan “has close ties to top Russian Government officials” and has stated publicly that “the Russian Government sets rating and viewership requirements for RT and, ‘since RT receives budget from the state, it must complete tasks given by the state,’" according to an ODNI report released publicly in 2017 following Russia’s efforts in the 2016 US election.

A US Justice Department indictment detailed that RT allegedly funded a Tennessee-based content company, producing videos aligned with Russia’s political interests, particularly on issues like Ukraine. This effort led to the publication of nearly 2,000 videos on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, garnering over 16 million views.

How has RT allegedly “influenced” American opinion?

The US Justice Department recently charged two employees of RT, Konstantin Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, accusing them of covertly funding pro-Russian media campaigns in the US.

These individuals allegedly funneled almost $10 million to a Tennessee-based firm, aiming to influence American public opinion without disclosing its connections to RT.

The media firm in question, identified as Tenet Media, hired popular conservative commentators like Tim Pool and Benny Johnson to share content designed to bolster Russia’s interests, specifically regarding Ukraine.

Both Pool and Johnson, after learning of the accusations, distanced themselves from the company, claiming ignorance of RT’s involvement. “I as well as the other personalities and commentators were deceived,” Pool wrote, condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “scumbag.”

This operation mirrors Russia’s past strategies to polarise American voters by manipulating sensitive political topics.

How is Kremlin involved in this?

In response to these revelations, the US government seized 32 Kremlin-controlled websites designed to mimic authentic US news outlets.

These fake domains were part of Russia’s broader effort to spread disinformation and sow discord among American voters. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby noted that “we believe Mr. Putin is weighing in on these actions,” stating Moscow’s high-level involvement in election interference efforts.

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Moscow’s disinformation campaigns are not new. The US Treasury Department reported that Russia’s use of social media to amplify false narratives remains a key strategy. A US State Department official stated that the Kremlin continues to target “specific voter demographics and swing-state voters” to sway election outcomes in favour of candidates perceived as more favourable to Russian interests.

Intelligence agencies have flagged Russia’s ongoing disinformation campaigns, including targeting perceptions of US support for Ukraine, as major concerns.

What tactics has Russia used against the US?

Beyond media manipulation, Russian interference in US elections encompasses a variety of tactics, including cyberattacks and hacking attempts.

The pro-Russian hacktivist group RaHDIt, led by former members of Russian intelligence, has been involved in numerous operations against American and Ukrainian targets. The group is known for hack-and-leak operations and has been linked to the Kremlin’s intelligence apparatus.

In March, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on two Russian companies responsible for creating fake news websites and social media accounts to spread Kremlin disinformation. US Attorney General Merrick Garland underscored that Russia, along with other foreign actors like Iran and China, poses a persistent threat to US election security.

“We will have no tolerance for attempts by authoritarian regimes to exploit our democratic systems of government,” Garland said.

The US Justice Department’s recent indictments and sanctions against Russian media figures represent the most sweeping effort to date to counter Moscow’s malign influence.

“The American people are entitled to know when a foreign power is attempting to exploit our country’s free exchange of ideas in order to send around its own propaganda,” Garland added, affirming that the US government would remain vigilant in protecting the integrity of its democratic institutions.

Why now?

The stakes of Russian interference are particularly high in the 2024 election, with officials noting Moscow’s preference for former US President Donald Trump, who reportedly had a favourable stance toward Russia during his tenure.

Internal documents revealed by the US Justice Department showed a clear strategy to help Trump win and diminish support for Democratic candidates like US President Joe Biden, who has been a staunch advocate for Ukraine. These revelations echo the findings from 2016 when Russia interfered to support Trump’s campaign.

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Though US intelligence agencies have exposed many of Russia’s tactics, Moscow continues to adapt and evolve its approach. US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco noted that Russian disinformation campaigns are becoming “more diverse and aggressive,” targeting swing-state voters with precision through AI-enhanced technologies and sophisticated cyber operations.

In an effort to prevent further meddling, the US government has implemented visa restrictions on individuals connected to Russian state-backed media outlets, requiring them to register as foreign agents. The US State Department has also designated RT and other Russian entities, including RIA Novosti and Sputnik, as foreign missions, compelling them to disclose their US operations.

With inputs from agencies