iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
In September 2024, US officials made several distinct allegations involving RT: that its leadership administered a crowdfunding effort for Russian forces in Ukraine, that an RT-linked unit supported intelligence and influence operations, and—under a separate federal indictment—that two RT employees covertly funded and influenced a US media company. These were not findings in one adjudicated case. The sanctions announcement and the indictment describe different conduct and carry different legal status.
What did the US accuse RT of?
On September 13, 2024, the US State Department announced sanctions against Russian state-linked entities and people and described alleged RT activity in three areas: fundraising for Russian forces, intelligence and influence operations, and efforts to shape information abroad. The claims did not all concern the same organizations or conduct.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Story of Russia | $18.63 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution: 1891-1924 | $16.57 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Russia: A History | $20.91 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
History of Russia: An Enthralling Overview of Major Events in Russian History (Eastern Europe) | $3.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
A Concise History of Russia (Cambridge Concise Histories) | $17.41 | Buy on Amazon |
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “While the crowdfunding campaign is out in the open, what’s hidden is that this program is administered by the leaders of RT,” as reported by CyberScoop. That was the US government’s characterization of the campaign, not an independent audit of the purchases.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What was the alleged arms-support fundraising?
US officials accused RT of operating a crowdfunding website whose proceeds were used to buy equipment for Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. Items officials cited included drones, radio equipment, sniper rifles, suppressors, body armor, night-vision equipment, generators, and weapon sights. Officials said the public-facing fundraising effort concealed RT leaders’ role in administering it.
#1 Best Overall
The public account establishes what officials alleged and the basis for the sanctions announcement; it does not independently verify each purchase or establish that every listed item was acquired through the campaign.
What did the separate US media-company indictment allege?
On September 4, 2024, the Justice Department made public an indictment alleging that RT employees Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva covertly directed and funded content at a Tennessee-based media company. The indictment describes the alleged use of false identities and an editing role to influence content distributed as ostensibly independent online material. It also alleges that Afanasyeva supplied or directed video clips and that Kalashnikov participated in editing and operational channels.
According to the indictment, foreign entities sent the company approximately $9.7 million in about 30 wire transfers from October 2023 through August 2024. The filing alleges those transfers accounted for nearly 90% of deposits to the company’s bank account during that period. These are figures and claims in an indictment, not judicial findings or independently audited amounts.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The allegation concerns covert funding and coordination, not proof that every commentator or every piece of content from the company knowingly participated in the alleged scheme. An indictment is an accusation; it does not establish guilt.
Rank #3
What did officials mean by RT-linked cyber and influence activity?
US officials described an RT-linked unit with cyber capabilities as supporting intelligence and influence operations. CyberScoop reported that officials pointed to managing social-media activity around the crowdfunding website and gathering information. The public description did not establish whether the unit conducted hacking or digital compromises, so “cyber” should not be read as proof of intrusions.
A separate FBI affidavit filed in July 2024 to support seizure of two domains alleged a Russian bot-farm operation and discussed development of software for generating social-media personas. The affidavit alleged that an RT deputy editor-in-chief pitched the software and that the project later became part of an operation associated with Russian intelligence. These are investigative allegations in an affidavit, not a court determination that every described connection was proven: FBI affidavit for seizure of two domains.
Rank #4
How do the three strands differ?
| Strand | Conduct alleged | Public record | Target or geography | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment fundraising | RT leadership administered crowdfunding used to acquire equipment for Russian forces. | State Department sanctions announcement, reported by CyberScoop. | Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. | Sanctions action and official allegation; not an independent audit of purchases. |
| Media-company funding | Two RT employees covertly directed content and funding through a Tennessee-based company. | Federal indictment. | US audiences and online content distribution. | Criminal allegations; an indictment is not a finding of guilt. |
| Intelligence and cyber activity | An RT-linked unit allegedly supported intelligence and influence operations; a separate affidavit alleges a bot-farm and persona-generation project. | State Department announcement and a separate FBI affidavit. | Global influence activity and social-media operations. | Official and investigative allegations; public reporting did not establish hacking or digital compromises by the RT-linked unit. |
Which other entities were mentioned?
The September 13 announcement also identified Rossiya Segodnya, TV-Novosti, and Ano Evraziya in connection with sanctions and alleged efforts to influence Moldova’s elections. Those claims are not the same as the allegation that RT administered fundraising for equipment for Russian forces.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallBlinken also characterized RT and affiliates as “functioning like a de facto arm” of the Russian government, according to CyberScoop. This is an official characterization, not a neutral legal finding.
Best Value
What is established—and what remains uncertain?
The public records establish that US officials announced sanctions and made the stated allegations, and that prosecutors filed an indictment containing the described claims. The cited materials do not independently verify all underlying allegations. The reviewed sources also do not establish later trial outcomes or final findings in the media-company case; the indictment should not be treated as a verdict.
Keep the distinctions clear: overtly attributed Russian state-media content is not by itself evidence of covert funding; the alleged media-company scheme concerns undisclosed coordination and money; and the alleged cyber capability is not proof that hacking occurred.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →
