{"id":2336801,"date":"2024-09-04T17:21:59","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T21:21:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-russians-indicted-and-internet-domains-seized-in-doj-election-interference-inquiry-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-04T17:25:41","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T21:25:41","slug":"two-russians-indicted-and-internet-domains-seized-in-doj-election-interference-inquiry-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-russians-indicted-and-internet-domains-seized-in-doj-election-interference-inquiry-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Russians indicted and internet domains seized in DOJ election interference inquiry &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftwo-russians-indicted-and-internet-domains-seized-in-doj-election-interference-inquiry-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2336801&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>On\u2062 September \u20644, \u200d2024,\u200c the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) unsealed \u2063an indictment against two Russian \u200dnationals,\u2064 Kostiantyn Kalashnikov \u2064and Elena Afanasyeva, \u2062in a significant \u2064investigation into foreign interference in upcoming U.S. elections. Both individuals are affiliated with the Russian government-controlled media outlet RT and are charged with conspiring to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-president-trump-gives-pardons-to-73-individuals-and-commutes-another-70-sentences-steve-bannon-is-included\/\" title=\"BREAKING: President Trump Gives Pardons to 73 Individuals and Commutes Another 70 Sentences \u2013 Steve Bannon Is Included\">commit money laundering<\/a> \u200band violating the Foreign\u200c Agents Registration Act. They are currently at large and face\u200c potential prison \u2063sentences of up to 25\u200c years if convicted.<\/p>\n<p>Attorney \u200cGeneral \u2062Merrick Garland stated that the indictment is part of\u2062 a \u2063broader effort to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-desantis-torches-biden-for-being-passive-on-world-stage-leaving-middle-america-behind\/\" title=\"WATCH: DeSantis Torches Biden For Being \u2018Passive On World Stage,\u2019 Leaving Middle America Behind\">combat foreign influence<\/a> in American \u200ddemocracy. The allegations include that\u2062 the defendants\u2064 funneled approximately $10 \u200cmillion to a Tennessee-based company, which, in turn, disseminated divisive content across various <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-democrats-celebrate-medicare-anniversary-with-attacks-on-republicans\/\" title=\"Senate Democrats mark Medicare anniversary by criticizing Republicans.\">social media\u200d platforms<\/a>, including TikTok and Instagram,\u2064 to \u200cundermine U.S. unity and \u200dsupport Russian interests, \u200dparticularly regarding the ongoing conflict \u200dwith Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the DOJ announced the seizure of\u2062 32 internet \u2063domains that were allegedly used to promote Russian propaganda aimed at influencing the 2024\u2063 presidential election. \u2063The operation highlights \u2063ongoing concerns about foreign \u2064interventions in the U.S. democratic process and\u2063 emphasizes the importance of\u2063 transparency regarding\u200d foreign entities&#8217; influence on American public discourse.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Two Russians indicted and internet domains seized in DOJ election interference inquiry<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1746011\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Justice<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Department<\/a> unsealed an indictment on Wednesday against two <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Russian<\/a> nationals who allegedly carried out a foreign influence plot in the United States, a move that came as part of the department&rsquo;s broader investigation into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cnn-the-credibility-of-the-steele-dossier-has-significantly-diminished-network-now-has-legitimate-questions\/\" title=\"CNN: \u2018The Credibility Of The\u2019 Steele Dossier \u2018Has Significantly Diminished.\u2019 Network Now Has \u2018Legitimate Questions\u2019\">election interference activities<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Attorney General <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/merrick-garland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Merrick Garland<\/a> said that in addition to a grand jury indicting the pair, who are both employees of the Russia-controlled media outlet RT, the department was also seizing dozens of internet domains that it alleged were spreading Russian government propaganda in the U.S. at the behest of the Kremlin.<\/p>\n<p>Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, face charges of conspiring to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The pair are at large, DOJ officials said. They would each face up to 25 years in prison if they were apprehended and convicted.<\/p>\n<p>Garland addressed the indictment during an election-related roundtable, saying that Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva&rsquo;s malign foreign influence scheme included pushing out to millions of people content that was intended to sow divisions in the U.S. and weaken the country&rsquo;s overall opposition to Russian interests, including when it comes to the Russia-Ukraine war.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The American people are entitled to know when a foreign power is attempting to exploit our country&rsquo;s free exchange of ideas in order to send around its own propaganda,&rdquo; Garland said.<\/p>\n<p>Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva allegedly funneled $10 million to a Tennessee-based company, which, in turn, pushed out videos to millions of viewers on social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X, according to government prosecutors.<\/p>\n<p>The two defendants used fake personas at times to conceal that they were working covertly on behalf of the Russian government, according to the indictment.<\/p>\n<p>For example, when the Tennessee-based company approached one unnamed social media influencer with more than 2 million followers to publish content, the influencer asked how the company was funded. One of the defendants claimed the funding came from &ldquo;Eduard Grigoriann,&rdquo; who was a fictitious person, and the defendant provided a fabricated one-page biography to back up her claim.<\/p>\n<p>Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray also said Wednesday that the DOJ was seizing 32 internet domains, and they revealed a 69-page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/d9\/2024-09\/doppelganger_affidavit_9.4.24.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>affidavit<\/a> with dozens of attachments showcasing how the Russian government was allegedly using the websites to influence the 2024 presidential election to benefit Russia.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Companies operating at the direction of the Russian government-created websites to trick Americans into unwittingly consuming Russian propaganda,&rdquo; Wray said.<\/p>\n<p>The announcements on Wednesday mark the latest instance in the last several years of the government accusing Russia and other foreign adversaries, including Iran, of secretly attempting to peddle their countries&rsquo; propaganda in the U.S. during an election season.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. government previously accused RT, which was formerly known as Russia Today, of working to disadvantage former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/j-d-vance-to-appear-with-ron-desantis-at-turning-point-action-rally-in-ohio\/\" title=\"J.D. Vance to Appear With Ron DeSantis at Turning Point Action Rally in Ohio\">unsuccessful presidential campaign<\/a> in 2016.<\/p>\n<p>RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan derided the U.S. on Telegram for repeatedly targeting RT during presidential election seasons.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If they kick us out completely, how will they conduct the next elections,&rdquo; Simonyan wrote. &ldquo;They don&rsquo;t have any other strategies except to scaremonger about the almighty RT.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>U.S. Treasury Department officials announced concurrently Wednesday that they were imposing sanctions on Simonyan, Afanasyeva, Kalashnikov, and seven others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1746011\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1746011\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Justice Department announced on Wednesday that it has indicted two Russian individuals for allegedly executing a foreign influence scheme in the U.S. This action is part of a larger investigation into election interference. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that alongside the grand jury&#8217;s indictment of Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27\u2014both employees of the Kremlin-controlled media outlet RT\u2014the department is also seizing numerous internet domains accused of disseminating Russian government propaganda in America. The two are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and they remain at large. If caught and convicted, they could each face up to 25 years in prison.<\/p>\n<p>During an election-related discussion, Garland highlighted that their scheme involved distributing content aimed at creating divisions within the U.S. and undermining opposition to Russian interests amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. He emphasized that Americans deserve transparency regarding foreign attempts to manipulate public discourse for propaganda purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors allege that Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva funneled $10 million to a Tennessee-based company which then produced videos reaching millions on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter). They reportedly used fake identities to hide their connections with the Russian government; for instance, when seeking collaboration from a social media influencer with over 2 million followers, one defendant falsely claimed funding came from a non-existent individual named &#8220;Eduard Grigoriann,&#8221; even providing a fabricated biography as proof.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray announced the seizure of 32 internet domains linked to this operation while revealing details from a comprehensive affidavit outlining how these websites were allegedly used by Russia to sway opinions during the upcoming presidential election in its favor. Wray noted that these sites were designed by companies acting under Russian government directives to mislead Americans into consuming propaganda unknowingly.<\/p>\n<p>This announcement follows previous accusations against Russia and other foreign entities like Iran for attempting similar tactics during U.S. elections over recent years. The U.S. had previously accused RT of trying to undermine Hillary Clinton\u2019s campaign during her unsuccessful run in 2016. In response to these developments, RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan criticized U.S actions against RT on Telegram while questioning how future elections would be conducted if they were completely banned from participation.<\/p>\n<p>Simultaneously on Wednesday, officials from the U.S Treasury Department declared sanctions against Simonyan along with Afanasyeva, Kalashnikov, and seven others involved in this case<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":2336802,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Merrick-Garland-DOJ.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[7076,32119,15074,40114,6727],"class_list":["post-2336801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-doj","tag-election-interference","tag-indictment","tag-internet-domains","tag-russians"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Merrick-Garland-DOJ.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2336801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2336801"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2336801\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2336802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2336801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2336801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2336801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}