Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks expressing support for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the upcoming US elections, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby issued a strong rebuke. Kirby demanded that Putin cease commenting on the elections, emphasizing that Moscow should not be favoring any candidate.
This statement comes a day after the US Justice Department indicted two Russian media executives for allegedly engaging in an illegal scheme to sway the November election in favor of pro-Russian propaganda. Internal documents uncovered by the Justice Department reveal a clear strategy aimed at boosting Donald Trump’s chances of winning while undermining the support for Democratic candidates like US President Joe Biden, a vocal advocate for Ukraine.
These revelations mirror the findings of the 2016 election, where Russia actively interfered to support Trump’s campaign. Despite efforts by US intelligence agencies to expose these tactics, Russia has continued to refine its approach. US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco has highlighted the increasingly diverse and aggressive nature of Russian disinformation campaigns, which now employ AI-enhanced technologies and sophisticated cyber operations to target swing-state voters with precision.
To counter these threats, the US government has taken measures including imposing visa restrictions on individuals linked to Russian state-backed media outlets, requiring them to register as foreign agents. Furthermore, the US State Department has designated RT and other Russian entities, including RIA Novosti and Sputnik, as foreign missions, forcing them to disclose their US operations.
