The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Treasury Department have taken major steps to combat a Russian campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion in the United States. On September 4, the DOJ announced that it had seized 32 internet domains allegedly used by Russian actors to spread propaganda and influence U.S. elections. This operation is part of a broader effort to stop foreign interference in American politics.
A Covert Russian Campaign
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland explained the purpose of the domain seizures, saying, “The Justice Department is seizing 32 internet domains that the Russian government and Russian government-sponsored actors have used to engage in a covert campaign to interfere in and influence the outcome of our country’s elections.”
The DOJ’s actions targeted a Russian influence campaign known as “Doppelganger,” which allegedly aimed to manipulate U.S. public opinion, reduce support for Ukraine, and promote pro-Russian policies. According to prosecutors, this effort began in 2022 and involved Russian entities, including ANO Dialog, Social Design Agency (SDA), and Structural National Technology (Structura), all reportedly controlled by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his deputy Sergei Kiriyenko.
The Doppelganger campaign employed a technique called “cybersquatting,” where fake domains were created to mimic legitimate news outlets such as The Washington Post.
These fake sites aimed to trick users into believing they were reading credible news, while actually promoting false information. For example, one fake domain was “washingtonpost.pm,” closely resembling the real “washingtonpost.com.”
Fake News Through Social Media and AI
The Russian actors behind Doppelganger used social media influencers, paid advertisements, and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to spread disinformation. They also created fake profiles on platforms like Facebook and Twitter to share links to the cybersquatted domains, fooling users into thinking they were reading real news from trusted sources.
Prosecutors allege that these efforts were not limited to the United States. Doppelganger also targeted other countries, including Germany, Mexico, and Israel, with the goal of damaging U.S. relations with those nations.
Treasury Department Joins the Fight
On the same day the DOJ announced its domain seizures, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action by sanctioning ten individuals and two entities connected to the Russian influence operations. According to the Treasury, Russian state actors used AI, deepfake technology, and other tools to undermine confidence in U.S. elections and institutions. Some of these actors worked with RT, the state-run Russian media outlet formerly known as Russia Today.
OFAC revealed that RT used an American-based front company to secretly generate and spread pro-Russian content. These actions were part of a larger effort by Russia to influence American politics while hiding their involvement.
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Criminal Charges Unsealed
In addition to the domain seizures and sanctions, the DOJ unsealed charges against two Russian nationals employed by RT. Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, were charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and commit money laundering. These charges highlight the broader criminal activity behind the Russian influence campaign.
The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is leading the investigation into the Doppelganger campaign. Authorities are continuing to track down those involved in spreading Russian disinformation both within the U.S. and abroad.
The DOJ’s seizure of 32 domains linked to the Russian influence campaign is part of ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of U.S. elections and counter foreign interference. By targeting disinformation campaigns like Doppelganger, the U.S. government aims to prevent the spread of false information designed to manipulate public opinion and damage international relationships. As investigations continue, further actions may be taken to hold those responsible for these influence campaigns accountable.