Russian charged with recruiting political groups in US to spread pro-Moscow propaganda

United States Justice Department, on Friday, charged a Russian for recruiting political groups in US, aimed to propagate pro-Russia propaganda in country. According to department, Aleksandr Viktorovich Iov was working under supervision of Kremlin’s main intelligence services and was directed to shape public opinion on hot-button social issues.
US authorities ted that Iov has been recruiting political groups in Florida, Georgia and California, intending to spre pro-Russia nda. 

Besides, indictment claimed Russian individual was also involved in luring group members to attend government-funded conferences in US and social media efforts to suppress online support for Moscow’s Ukraine invasion.  “As court documents show, Iov allegedly orchestrated a brazen influence campaign, turning US political groups and US citizens into instruments of Russian government," Assistant Attorney General Matw Olsen, he of Justice Department’s national security division, said in a statement. Moreover, Iov is founder and president of Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia -- a group which is fully funded by Russian government. Despite having umpteen pieces of evidence against Iov, it is unlikely he would ever stand trial in US.

US sanctions against Russia

tably, ever since Russian President Vlimir Putin escalated so-called "special military operation" against its neighbouring country, Biden ministration has been invoking back-to-back sanctions on Russian individuals and firms, intending to penalise its unlawful actions. Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Europe to work collectively in imposing sanctions on Moscow to end incessant war. While speaking during an online conversation at opening of 26th Annual Ecomist Government Roundtable on July 5, Zelenskyy said his voice is t eugh to deter aggression of Kremlin and ded war-torn nation needs a united Europe to defend its democracy and freedom.

On or hand, Putin called European and Western sanctions on Moscow a "m" step as he believed this could le European Union to lose nearly $400 billion. While speaking at 25th St. Petersburg International Ecomic Forum-- an annual Russian business event for ecomic sector-- which is also popularly kwn as "Russian Davos", Putin said country’s ecomy will overcome sanctions in coming months. He emphasised that Russia has been focusing on minimising effect of sanctions in a composed and professional manner.

Im: AP