The Biden administration has taken decisive action against Russian efforts to influence the 2024 presidential election, with the unveiling of criminal charges against two Russian nationals, sanctions against specific entities and individuals, and seizing of 32 Internet domains.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “The American people are entitled to know when a foreign power is attempting to exploit our country’s free exchange of ideas to disseminate its propaganda.”
The individuals implicated in the scheme, Konstantin Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, allegedly orchestrated a nearly $10 million plan to support a media network, RT International, based in Tennessee. Their goal was to promote pro-Russia content and engage US social media influencers to amplify their messaging, ultimately aiming to undermine American opposition to key Russian interests.
This is not the first instance of Russian interference in US elections. In 2016, Russia utilized the APT28 group, also known as Fancy Bear, to hack into the DNC website and the servers of the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Similarly, in the 2020 presidential election, Facebook and Twitter removed accounts linked to the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Russian-backed entity that disseminated misinformation to dissuade voters from supporting Joe Biden.
In response to these threats, the Treasury and Justice departments are working in tandem with the Biden administration to address and hold Russian actors responsible. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated effort to counter Moscow’s influence operations targeting the upcoming election. Additionally, the department has imposed sanctions on the pro-Russian hacktivist group RaHDIt, alleging its ties to current and former Russian intelligence officers.
Despite these measures, experts like James Turgal, VP of global cyber-risk at Optiv and former FBI executive assistant director, believe that Russia will persist in its attempts to disrupt US elections. Turgal warns that Russia, along with other nation-states, will continue leveraging social media and other platforms to sow discord and misinformation, particularly as the election draws nearer.
To mitigate these threats, Turgal suggests implementing robust cybersecurity policies within political campaigns to defend against social engineering attacks. He recommends training staff to recognize various attack vectors and to exercise caution when providing information online or to external entities.
As the Biden administration takes firm action against Russian interference, the ongoing efforts to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process remain paramount in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. Through coordinated sanctions, legal actions, and proactive cybersecurity measures, the administration aims to counter foreign influence and protect the fundamental principles of democratic governance in the United States.