The United States has intensified its focus on Russian state-funded media, particularly RT (formerly Russia Today), which Washington now claims is more than a mere propaganda outlet. Founded in 2005, RT was initially designed to offer a counter-narrative to Western media, but it has long been accused of being a tool for Russian state propaganda. On Friday, the U.S. announced new sanctions, targeting RT and other Russian media firms, citing not only their influence operations but also upgraded allegations of cyber capabilities.

The U.S. claims RT has been involved in covert operations, including raising funds for Russian military procurement through crowdfunding platforms. According to Washington, RT is helping Russian troops in Ukraine secure sniper rifles, body armor, drones, and night-vision equipment—an allegation some American media outlets have questioned due to a lack of direct evidence. Nonetheless, the U.S. has pressed forward with its sanctions, with plans to track RT personnel and monitor their property.

Moscow, unsurprisingly, has dismissed these claims, with Russia’s Foreign Ministry mocking the constant imposition of sanctions on entities like RT, which was already heavily sanctioned in 2020. The U.S. is also urging its allies, including India, to take action against RT, though New Delhi has shown no interest in interfering in this dispute.