The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has moved to seize 32 internet domains that it believes were used by the Russian government and affiliated actors to conduct “Doppelganger” foreign influence campaigns, according to an unsealed affidavit released on Wednesday.
These actions allegedly violate U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the DOJ’s move and the allegations during a press briefing.
The affidavit claims that these Russian entities used the domains to secretly disseminate Russian government propaganda aimed at diminishing international support for Ukraine, promoting pro-Russian policies, and influencing voters in both U.S. and foreign elections, including the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.
Several Russian public relations firms, including Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, are said to be operating these domains under the direction of the Russian Presidential Administration. Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, the first deputy chief of staff of the Russian presidential executive office, is reportedly leading this campaign, according to the affidavit.
“The Justice Department is seizing 32 internet domains that 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,” said Attorney General Garland. “As alleged in our court filings, President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, including Sergei Kiriyenko, directed Russian public relations companies to promote disinformation and state-sponsored narratives as part of a campaign to influence the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.”
Garland further stated, “An internal planning document created by the Kremlin states that a goal of the campaign is to secure Russia’s preferred outcome in the election. The sites we are seizing today were filled with Russian government propaganda created by the Kremlin to reduce international support for Ukraine, bolster pro-Russian policies and interests, and influence voters in the United States and other countries.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray noted in the DOJ press release that these Russian companies “relied on cutting-edge AI to sow disinformation.” In conjunction with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the designation of 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s efforts to influence the November election. The DOJ accused two individuals, working on behalf of RT Media, of laundering $10 million to conservative company TENET Media to spread Russian propaganda and sow division in the United States.
This announcement aligns with the Treasury Department’s earlier designation of actors implicated in the “Doppelganger” operation, which was made in March. “Our actions today make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in countering and disrupting attempts by the Russian government, or any other malign actor, to interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy,” Garland asserted.
