Natalia Drozdyakh and Chris Strom
Russian efforts to influence the U.S. presidential election have become more sophisticated than in past elections, U.S. intelligence officials said, warning that Russia’s activities go far beyond the alleged conspiracy outlined in a Justice Department indictment this week.
Moscow’s tactics include using artificial intelligence and paid influence firms to target U.S. battleground states and amplify divisive narratives, according to an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.
The Biden administration earlier this week unveiled charges against two Russian nationals accused of laundering roughly $10 million to fund a covert influence campaign supporting former President Donald Trump rather than Vice President Kamala Harris.
The official added that Russia has other active assets and that Washington is conducting a broader counter-effort.
“Russia is amplifying divisive rhetoric and seeking to influence the election outcome, consistent with Moscow’s broader foreign policy goals of undermining the United States and weakening Washington’s support for Ukraine,” ODNI said in its latest report on election security released Friday.
U.S. authorities have stepped up their vigilance against election security following indications that foreign adversaries, including Russia, Iran and China, attempted to interfere in the 2016 and 2020 elections. Government actions have included closer coordination between agencies, uncovering activities by state-sponsored groups, and prosecuting individuals.
An indictment unsealed this week revealed how Russia allegedly used popular right-wing social media influencers to tell Americans a narrative that promoted Moscow’s interests.
President Vladimir Putin’s administration believes it’s a more effective way to deceive and influence the American public and is seeking to leverage powerful figures within the United States, intelligence officials said.
In July, the agencies warned that Russia and Iran were trying to influence the 2024 US presidential election, and in August, US intelligence agencies blamed Iran for the recent hack of President Trump’s campaign.
Officials also said they were monitoring possible attempts by individuals with ties to China to influence lower-level elections that could threaten Chinese interests.
Of the three adversaries, Russia remains seen as the country of greatest concern to the U.S., ODNI officials said, pointing to the scope and scale of its technological capabilities and operations.
First Published: September 7, 2024 | 07:55 AM IST