U.S. sanctions Russian state media

Kremlin news outlet accused of fundraising for war

- DAVID KLEPPER

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that state news outlet RT is a key part of Russia's war machine and its efforts to undermine its democratic adversaries.

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 sniper rifles, body armour and other equipment for soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

While the outlet, RT, has previously been sanctioned for its work to spread Kremlin propaganda and disinformation, the allegations announced Friday suggest its role goes far beyond influence operations. Instead, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, RT is a key part of Russia’s war machine and its efforts to undermine its democratic adversaries.