The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the indictment of two Russian nationals, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, who are accused of secretly funding and directing a U.S.-based media company to spread pro-Russian propaganda. The indictment, unsealed in the Southern District of New York, charges the two employees of the Russian state-controlled media outlet RT with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The Justice Department alleges that Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva operated a covert influence campaign by channeling nearly $10 million to a Tennessee-based online content creation company. This company, which has published nearly 2,000 videos since November 2023, produced content that targeted American audiences on social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. The content, often focusing on sensitive topics like immigration and inflation, was designed to amplify divisions within the United States and further Russian government interests.

To conceal their involvement, Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva used false identities and managed the U.S. company’s operations from Moscow. They directed the creation of content that aligned with Russian objectives, such as blaming the U.S. and Ukraine for a terrorist attack in Moscow, and laundered the funds through shell companies in various countries. Despite the substantial funding from RT, the U.S. company never disclosed its ties to the Russian government.

If found guilty, the defendants could face significant prison sentences, with the money laundering charge carrying a maximum of 20 years and the FARA violation carrying up to five years. The FBI is currently investigating the case, and the prosecution is being handled by federal prosecutors in New York and the Justice Department’s National Security Division.