Ahead of the United States&nbsp;presidential election, American authorities are investigating some US citizens who had worked with or contributed to Russian state media, amid fears that Moscow's intelligence agencies are trying to muddy the waters of American politics through propaganda campaigns.

Citing official sources, the New York Times reported on Wednesday (Aug 22) that the FBI had raided the homes of two commentators who appear on Russian channels like RT, which broadcasts in English. One of them was a former advisor to ex-president Donald Trump.

The broad criminal investigation will look into whether several laws were violated, including one sanctioning Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, and another on lobbying for foreign countries and entities.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Russia running a disinformation campaign in Latin America?

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The probe came after intelligence findings that Russian state media is "working with its intelligence agencies to sway elections around the world," the report said.

There have been reports that the Russian government of President Vladimir Putin has thrown its weight behind Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, "creating online news outlets and fake videos to denigrate President Biden" and Democratic presidential candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris.

<h2>FBI raids on pro-Russia commentators in the US</h2>

Those who were raided this month were Scott Ritter and Dimitri K Simes. Ritter's house in New York was searched for hours on August 7 by the FBI and state police, who seized mobile phones, computers and hard drives. Simes' 132-acre estate near the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia was raided on August 13.

Also read:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-propaganda-videos-attempts-to-recruit-citizens-by-dangling-money-respect-and-a-manly-life-544124">Russian propaganda videos promise money, respect and ‘manly’ life to lure recruits in army</a> 
 
Neither of them were arrested, nor any charges filed against them, NYT said in the report. More searches are expected soon, it said citing officials. "Criminal charges are also possible, they said," it added.

<h2>Russia is influencing American elections, again</h2>

The Director of National Intelligence had warned on July 29 that Russia was exploiting Americans to create and spread narratives favourable to Moscow. “These personalities post content on social media, write for various websites with overt and covert ties to the Russian government, and conduct other media efforts,” the office said in a statement.

In July, the Justice Department shut down a campaign aimed at sowing discord in the US and other countries and spreading Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-election-russia-relying-on-unwitting-americans-to-spread-disinformation-about-polls-745419">US presidential election: Russia relying on unwitting Americans to spread disinformation about polls</a> 
 
It took down 968 inauthentic accounts on X, in an operation along with the social media platform owned by Elon Musk as well as authorities in Canada and the Netherlands.

These accounts were created by Russians using artificial intelligence tools, according to the department.

The operation was&nbsp;linked to Russia’s Federal Security Service and RT.

<h2>Who is Scott Ritter?</h2>

Scott Ritter is a former United Nations weapons inspector who has been openly critical of American foreign policy. Ritter has been a contributing writer for RT.

He travelled to Russia and Russian-held parts of Ukraine in January.

The warrant for the raid on his house cited the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which mandates that anyone who works&nbsp;for foreign governments and their official media should register as a foreign agent.

<h2>Who is Dimitri K Simes?</h2>

Dimitri K&nbsp;Simes, whose 132-acre estate near the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia was raided on August 13,&nbsp;was an aide to Trump during his first presidential campaign in 2016.&nbsp;

An American citizen who escaped the Soviet Union as a young man in the 1970s, Simes is being investigated for violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the legal foundation for imposing economic sanctions, according to the NYT report.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of the United States presidential election, American authorities are investigating some US citizens who had worked with or contributed to Russian state media, amid fears that Moscow's intelligence agencies are trying to muddy the waters of American politics through propaganda campaigns.

Ahead of the United States presidential election, American authorities are investigating some US citizens who had worked with or contributed to Russian state media, amid fears that Moscow's intelligence agencies are trying to muddy the waters of American politics through propaganda campaigns. Citing official sources, the New York Times reported on Wednesday (Aug 22) that the FBI had raided the homes of two commentators who appear on Russian channels like RT, which broadcasts in English. One of them was a former advisor to ex-president Donald Trump. The broad criminal investigation will look into whether several laws were violated, including one sanctioning Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, and another on lobbying for foreign countries and entities. Watch: Gravitas: Russia running a disinformation campaign in Latin America? × The probe came after intelligence findings that Russian state media is "working with its intelligence agencies to sway elections around the world," the report said. There have been reports that the Russian government of President Vladimir Putin has thrown its weight behind Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, "creating online news outlets and fake videos to denigrate President Biden" and Democratic presidential candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris. FBI raids on pro-Russia commentators in the US Those who were raided this month were Scott Ritter and Dimitri K Simes. Ritter's house in New York was searched for hours on August 7 by the FBI and state police, who seized mobile phones, computers and hard drives. Simes' 132-acre estate near the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia was raided on August 13. Also read: Russian propaganda videos promise money, respect and ‘manly’ life to lure recruits in army Neither of them were arrested, nor any charges filed against them, NYT said in the report. More searches are expected soon, it said citing officials. "Criminal charges are also possible, they said," it added. Russia is influencing American elections, again The Director of National Intelligence had warned on July 29 that Russia was exploiting Americans to create and spread narratives favourable to Moscow. “These personalities post content on social media, write for various websites with overt and covert ties to the Russian government, and conduct other media efforts,” the office said in a statement. In July, the Justice Department shut down a campaign aimed at sowing discord in the US and other countries and spreading Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine. Also read: US presidential election: Russia relying on unwitting Americans to spread disinformation about polls It took down 968 inauthentic accounts on X, in an operation along with the social media platform owned by Elon Musk as well as authorities in Canada and the Netherlands. These accounts were created by Russians using artificial intelligence tools, according to the department. The operation was linked to Russia’s Federal Security Service and RT. Who is Scott Ritter? Scott Ritter is a former United Nations weapons inspector who has been openly critical of American foreign policy. Ritter has been a contributing writer for RT. He travelled to Russia and Russian-held parts of Ukraine in January. The warrant for the raid on his house cited the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which mandates that anyone who works for foreign governments and their official media should register as a foreign agent. Who is Dimitri K Simes? Dimitri K Simes, whose 132-acre estate near the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia was raided on August 13, was an aide to Trump during his first presidential campaign in 2016. An American citizen who escaped the Soviet Union as a young man in the 1970s, Simes is being investigated for violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the legal foundation for imposing economic sanctions, according to the NYT report. (With inputs from agencies)

Now, the US is probing Americans who contribute to Russian TV programmes; FBI raided two of them

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, rejected European concerns on Tuesday regarding "Russian propaganda," claiming that everything that disagreed with the dominant narrative was now being labelled as such by the West.

During a meeting on Monday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Poland issued a warning about an increase in Russian propaganda in European nations in advance of the June European Parliament elections. Peskov was questioned about this.

During a conference call with journalists, a Kremlin spokesman stated,&nbsp;"It is evident now that any media or online resources that do not fit the mould, do not function within the mainstream of information, and attempt to report events from multiple perspectives, are instantly identified as propaganda tools."

"This blatantly violates the principles of a free press and shows once more how willing the government is to punish media outlets they don't like. In modern Europe, this occurs frequently."

Western countries have frequently charged Russian agents of using the internet and social media to disseminate false or misleading material against them, to further Russia, or to try to influence public opinion against supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, rejected European concerns on Tuesday regarding "Russian propaganda," claiming that everything that disagreed with the dominant narrative was now being labelled as such by the West.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, rejected European concerns on Tuesday regarding "Russian propaganda," claiming that everything that disagreed with the dominant narrative was now being labelled as such by the West. During a meeting on Monday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Poland issued a warning about an increase in Russian propaganda in European nations in advance of the June European Parliament elections. Peskov was questioned about this. During a conference call with journalists, a Kremlin spokesman stated, "It is evident now that any media or online resources that do not fit the mould, do not function within the mainstream of information, and attempt to report events from multiple perspectives, are instantly identified as propaganda tools." "This blatantly violates the principles of a free press and shows once more how willing the government is to punish media outlets they don't like. In modern Europe, this occurs frequently." Western countries have frequently charged Russian agents of using the internet and social media to disseminate false or misleading material against them, to further Russia, or to try to influence public opinion against supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

Kremlin dismisses Europe’s warnings about ‘Russian propaganda’

US director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe said today that Russian and Iran have obtained US voter information and taken actions to influence public opinion ahead of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">US elections</a> on November 3.

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Ratcliffe said both countries seek to "to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will cause confusion, sow chaos, and undermine confidence in American democracy," adding,"these actions are desperate attempts by desperate adversaries."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/octopuses-predictions-us-elections-2020-where-are-the-octopuses-335387">Also Read -&nbsp;US Elections 2020: Where are the Octopuses?</a>

FBI director Christopher Wray who was present with Ratcliffe asserted that US election systems were "safe" and "resilient".

Ratcliffe informed that Iran had distributed a video implying people could send fraudulent ballots, even from outside the United States. THE US director of national intelligence said that Iran sought "to intimidate voters, incite social unrest, and damage President Trump."

Ratcliffe's revelation comes as the Justice Department 92 web domains used by Iran.

"The domain names "newsstand7.com" "usjournal.net" "usjournal.us" and "twtoday.net" were operated by or on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to influence United States domestic and foreign policy," the Justice Department said.

The other 88 domains "spread Iranian propaganda" targeted at Western Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, it added.

"We will continue to use all of our tools to stop the Iranian Government from misusing US companies and social media to spread propaganda covertly, to attempt to influence the American public secretly, and to sow discord," Assistant Attorney General John Demers said.

US director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe said today that Russian and Iran have obtained US voter information and taken actions to influence public opinion ahead of US elections on November 3.

US director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe said today that Russian and Iran have obtained US voter information and taken actions to influence public opinion ahead of US elections on November 3. Watch: Ratcliffe said both countries seek to "to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will cause confusion, sow chaos, and undermine confidence in American democracy," adding,"these actions are desperate attempts by desperate adversaries." Also Read - US Elections 2020: Where are the Octopuses? FBI director Christopher Wray who was present with Ratcliffe asserted that US election systems were "safe" and "resilient". Ratcliffe informed that Iran had distributed a video implying people could send fraudulent ballots, even from outside the United States. THE US director of national intelligence said that Iran sought "to intimidate voters, incite social unrest, and damage President Trump." Ratcliffe's revelation comes as the Justice Department 92 web domains used by Iran. "The domain names "newsstand7.com" "usjournal.net" "usjournal.us" and "twtoday.net" were operated by or on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to influence United States domestic and foreign policy," the Justice Department said. The other 88 domains "spread Iranian propaganda" targeted at Western Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, it added. "We will continue to use all of our tools to stop the Iranian Government from misusing US companies and social media to spread propaganda covertly, to attempt to influence the American public secretly, and to sow discord," Assistant Attorney General John Demers said.

Iran, Russia obtained voter registration information, says US intelligence director John Ratcliffe

Twitter Inc, which is reviewing Russian interference during the 2016 US&nbsp;elections, said on Friday it would notify some of its users if they come across content generated by a suspected Russian propaganda service.

The company said it would email 677,775 people in the United States who followed, retweeted or liked content from accounts linked with the Internet Research Agency (IRA) during the election.

The IRA is a Russian organization that according to lawmakers and researchers, employs hundreds of people to push pro-Kremlin content under anonymous social media accounts.

Twitter added that because it has already suspended these accounts, the relevant content is no longer publicly available on its platform.

The company in September said it had suspended about 200 Russian-linked accounts, and followed it by suspending adverts from media outlets Russia Today and Sputnik in October.

The top Democrat on the US&nbsp;House of Representatives intelligence committee on Friday praised Twitter&#39;s move and urged technology companies to keep looking into abuse of their platforms by Russia during the 2016 elections.

&quot;The Committee&rsquo;s open hearing last November with Twitter, Facebook and Google revealed the extent to which the Russians exploited vulnerabilities inherent in the openness of our society and social media platforms, and it is vital these companies are transparent with users who were likely exposed to Kremlin propaganda and disinformation,&quot; Representative Adam Schiff said in a statement.

Senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence panel, echoed this view, tweeting: &quot;I&#39;ve been tough with Twitter on this, but I&#39;m encouraged to see the company beginning to take responsibility and notify its users of Russia&#39;s influence on its platform.&quot;

The company said it would email 677,775 people in the United States who followed, retweeted or liked content from accounts associated with the Internet Research Agency (IRA) during the election

Twitter Inc, which is reviewing Russian interference during the 2016 US elections, said on Friday it would notify some of its users if they come across content generated by a suspected Russian propaganda service. The company said it would email 677,775 people in the United States who followed, retweeted or liked content from accounts linked with the Internet Research Agency (IRA) during the election. The IRA is a Russian organization that according to lawmakers and researchers, employs hundreds of people to push pro-Kremlin content under anonymous social media accounts. Twitter added that because it has already suspended these accounts, the relevant content is no longer publicly available on its platform. The company in September said it had suspended about 200 Russian-linked accounts, and followed it by suspending adverts from media outlets Russia Today and Sputnik in October. The top Democrat on the US House of Representatives intelligence committee on Friday praised Twitter's move and urged technology companies to keep looking into abuse of their platforms by Russia during the 2016 elections. "The Committee’s open hearing last November with Twitter, Facebook and Google revealed the extent to which the Russians exploited vulnerabilities inherent in the openness of our society and social media platforms, and it is vital these companies are transparent with users who were likely exposed to Kremlin propaganda and disinformation," Representative Adam Schiff said in a statement. Senator Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence panel, echoed this view, tweeting: "I've been tough with Twitter on this, but I'm encouraged to see the company beginning to take responsibility and notify its users of Russia's influence on its platform."

Twitter to notify users exposed to Russian propaganda during US elections