The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Russian media executives and their organizations, which Washington claims have played a role in Russia’s disinformation campaigns. These include two entities and 10 individuals, including RT’s editor-in-chief Margarita Simonya and her deputy Elizaveta Brodskaia.
On Thursday, Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova framed the restrictions as part of a “witch-hunting campaign” and broader U.S. effort to stifle dissent and shape the global media landscape, particularly before upcoming presidential elections.
Zakharova argued that the U.S. is using Russia as a scapegoat to manipulate public sentiment. She accused Washington of undermining democratic principles and warned that Moscow would respond with reciprocal measures if Russian journalists face restrictions in the U.S. 
Washington asserts that the sanctioned outlets have been key in spreading pro-Russian narratives that threaten democratic processes in various countries and have contributed to the Kremlin’s “malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election.”
Al-Jazeera claimed in July that a U.S. intelligence officer said that Russia favors Republican candidate Donald Trump to win the 2024 presidential election.
In 2021, the U.S. sanctioned Russia for interfering in the 2020 presidential election.
