Assistant Secretary O’Brien disclosed that Russia Today is engaging in “covert activities” aimed at “subverting democracy and manipulating information environments” on a global scale.
In a briefing Friday, O’Brien and Jamie Rubin, director of the Global Engagement Center, said Russia Today has transformed into a “clearinghouse” for covert intelligence operations linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government. Rubin pointed to Argentina as a key example, alleging that Russia Today is “attempting to influence government policy.” The State Department has also flagged similar threats in the South Caucasus, France, and Germany.
“Russia Today is acting as though it were a direct arm of the government,” Rubin said. “They’ve admitted it. Go see what RT’s leadership has said—they claim they’re operating under Vladimir Putin’s direct orders. We’re saying they’re fully integrated into Russian intelligence operations.”
Rubin acknowledged that Russia Today isn’t the only state-funded media outlet globally, referencing U.S. government-backed entities like Voice of America. But he drew a sharp distinction. “No one in this building tells VOA, RFE, or RL what to report,” he said. “They ask us questions, and we answer. That’s the difference between a state-funded media organization in a democracy and one in an authoritarian regime.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that under the guise of Russia Today, “information produced through this unit flows to Russian intelligence services, Russian media outlets, Russian mercenary groups, and other state and proxy arms of the Russian Government.”
State Secretary revealed that “one of its projects is a large, online crowdfunding program in Russia, operating within RT and through social media channels, to provide support and military equipment – supplies, weaponry – to Russian military units in Ukraine. This includes sniper rifles, suppressors, body armor, night vision equipment, drones, radio equipment, personal weapon sites, diesel generators.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken alleged that leaders of Russia Today also oversaw an online crowdfunding effort to supply military equipment to Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
The crowdfunding campaign provided “sniper rifles, suppressors, body armor, night vision equipment, drones, radio equipment, personal weapon sights, and diesel generators” to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, Blinken said.
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