Washington Intensifies Pressure on Russian Propaganda Outlets

In a bold move to counteract Russian influence, the United States government has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of the Russian military media outlet Rybar, and its employees. This development was revealed in a statement by the Rewards for Justice mission.

Rybar, a Telegram channel with over 1.3 million subscribers that primarily covers the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, seeks to “strengthen Russia’s military capabilities and promote pro-Russian and anti-Western narratives,” according to the statement.

Rybar’s influence and alleged backing

Rybar, boasting over 1.3 million subscribers on its Telegram channel, has been a prominent source of information on the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. The outlet is accused of efforts to “bolster Russia’s military capabilities and advance pro-Russian and anti-Western narratives,” as outlined in the statement.

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Initially, Rybar was reportedly supported by the late Kremlin ally-turned-rebel, Yevgeny Prigozhin. It operates propaganda channels such as #HOLDTHELINE and #STANDWTHTEXAS, allegedly promoting Russian political interests in the United States.

Funding and activities

Currently, Rybar receives funding from Rostec, Russia’s state defense industrial corporation, which has faced US sanctions since 2022. Furthermore, Rybar has been linked to the creation of the “TEXASvsUSA” channel on X (formerly Twitter), aimed at promoting social division and inciting discord in the US, particularly ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

US response and sanctions

In September, the US government accused Moscow of spending millions to influence the forthcoming elections and spreading Russian propaganda through various web domains. As part of this crackdown, the Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on the Russian state-funded broadcaster RT, including its editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan.

Rybar’s reaction

In response, Rybar director Mikhail Zvinchuk denied allegations of attempting to influence the US election. He provided his registration address in Moscow and humorously suggested that the US could fulfill its reward promise through a direct funds transfer, the donation button on Rybar’s website, or cryptocurrency.

This significant US action underscores the ongoing tensions and the broader geopolitical battle over information and influence.