The U.S. State Department has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information that helps prevent or disrupt foreign election interference linked to the Russian state-sponsored Rybar media organization. Rybar, founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, is accused of using social media to meddle in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The U.S. has been cracking down on Russian election interference, recently announcing sanctions against high-profile Russian propagandists and seizing internet domains linked to Kremlin propaganda campaigns. Rybar is contracted by Russian state-owned arms manufacturer Rostec and its employees manage social media channels associated with conservative movements in the U.S., such as #HOLDTHELINE and #STANDWTHTEXAS.
The State Department alleges that Rybar’s latest social media channel, “TEXASvsUSA,” is intended to exploit the issue of undocumented immigrants crossing the Texas border in order to sow discord, promote social division, stoke partisan and racial discord, and encourage hate and violence in the United States. Rybar and its employees are among a list of individuals and entities that the State Department has associated rewards with their capture. Russia has been accused of using social media disinformation, bot farms, and other means to support Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections against his Democratic opponents, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden.
Despite the ongoing accusations of Russian interference, U.S. intelligence officials have stated that they have not observed a shift in Russia’s preferences for the upcoming presidential race from past elections. Former President Trump, who is running for president a third time, has been quick to blame U.S. and Ukrainian leadership for the full-scale war, but has made no mention of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s role in the conflict. The announcement of the reward for information related to foreign election interference linked to Rybar comes as part of the U.S. government’s efforts to prevent foreign interference in U.S. elections and promote the integrity of the electoral process.
The U.S. government’s Rewards for Justice program aims to incentivize individuals with information about foreign election interference to come forward and help prevent or disrupt such activities. By offering a substantial reward of up to $10 million, the State Department hopes to encourage individuals to provide valuable information that can help safeguard the integrity of the democratic process in the United States. The crackdown on Russian election interference, including the sanctions imposed on high-profile individuals and the seizure of internet domains, reflects the U.S. government’s commitment to addressing threats to the integrity of the electoral system and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The U.S. government’s actions also send a strong message to foreign entities engaging in election interference that their activities will not be tolerated and will be met with consequences.
