DOJ seizes 32 internet domains acting on behalf of Russia to influence US election, sow division: report

The United States Department of Justice has moved to seize 32 internet domains believed to be used by the Russian government and Russian government-sponsored actors to engage in foreign malign influence campaigns, also referred to as "Doppelganger," according to an unsealed affidavit released on Wednesday.

The actions are in violation of US money laundering and criminal trademark laws. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the allegations during a press briefing.

As alleged in the affidavit, the Russian entities are accused of using domains "to covertly spread Russian government propaganda with the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters in US and foreign elections, including the US 2024 Presidential Election."

Russian public relations companies such as Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, are allegedly operating the domains under the direction of the Russian Presidential Administration. Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, first deputy chief of staff of the Russian presidential executive office, who is reportedly leading the charge, as per the affidavit.

"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," 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 US Presidential Election."

"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," Garland continued. "The sites we are seizing today were filled with Russian government propaganda that had been 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 said in the DOJ press release that the aforementioned companies "relied on cutting-edge AI to sow disinformation." Additionally, the US Treasury Department announced the designation of 10 individuals and two entities in conjunction with the domain seizures as part of a coordinated response to Russia's malign influence efforts targeting the Nov. election. The DOJ accused two individuals, who were 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 was in accordance with the Treasury Department's designation of actors implicated in Doppelganger, 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," asserted Garland.