DOJ Charges Russian Operatives in $10 Million Propaganda Scheme

Today, the Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against two Russian nationals, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, who are accused of a major conspiracy to influence U.S. audiences through covert propaganda. Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva, both employees of Russia Today (RT), are charged with conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and committing money laundering. Both are currently at large, and the investigation is ongoing.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized that the Justice Department is committed to fighting against foreign attempts to manipulate American media and public opinion. He stated that this scheme involved RT employees secretly directing a Tennessee-based content creation company to produce and spread pro-Russian propaganda through various social media platforms.
The indictment reveals that RT used nearly $10 million to finance and control a U.S. company listed in court documents as U.S. Company-1. This company has been operating since November 2023 and has posted nearly 2,000 videos on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube. These videos, which have accumulated over 16 million views on YouTube alone, covered a range of issues, including immigration and inflation, often promoting Russian government viewpoints.
Notably, U.S. Company-1’s content included misleading narratives, such as claims about the March 2024 terrorist attack in Moscow. Afanasyeva allegedly instructed the company to blame the attack on Ukraine and the U.S., illustrating the kind of disinformation RT sought to spread. The company operated under false identities and used shell companies to disguise its funding source, making it appear as though it was financed by a fictitious investor.
In connection to this case, conservative commentators Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson, who are affiliated with Tenet Media—a Tennessee-based company—are indirectly linked through their association with U.S. Company 1. While their roles are not detailed in the indictment, their employment with Tenet Media might raise questions regarding their awareness and involvement in the activities of the content creation company under investigation.
While Dave Rubin has not publicly released a statement yet, both Tim Pool and Benny Johnson posted their statements on X.

While it’s currently unknown whether there is a connection, Pool had, just the day before, broadcasted from his YouTube channel announcing legal action against the Harris Campaign for defamation.