“The Battle Against Election Interference: Treasury’s Sanctions Target Russian Intelligence Officers “

Government Treasury sanctions two Russian intelligence officers for election influence operations

By Christian Vasquez

June 23, 2023

A polling station in Arlington, Va. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The Sanctions

The Treasury Department has issued sanctions against two Russian intelligence officers, Aleksey Borisovich Sukhodolov and Yegor Sergeyevich Popov, for their alleged involvement in global election influence operations. These operations included the recruitment of political groups within the United States to distribute pro-Moscow propaganda. Brian Nelson, the under secretary at the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the Treasury Department, emphasized the Kremlin’s continued targeting of free and fair elections, stating that the United States will not tolerate threats to its democracy. Nelson also highlighted the importance of a whole-of-government approach to protect the country’s system of representative government and democratic institutions.

Years-Long Effort

Sukhodolov and Popov, both officers of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), were directly involved in a years-long effort to recruit local individuals to influence elections that would benefit the Kremlin, according to the Treasury Department. The department also stated that Russia has recruited and forged ties with individuals and groups worldwide who are positioned to amplify and reinforce Russia’s disinformation efforts in order to destabilize democratic societies.

Additional Indictments

The sanctions announcement by the Treasury Department follows a criminal indictment against Sukhodolov and Popov that was unsealed by the Department of Justice in April. The indictment alleges their involvement in a campaign to influence elections over multiple years. The U.S. government has also accused the two officers of attempting to sway elections in Ukraine, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The Treasury Department further revealed that Popov worked closely with Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov and Natalya Valeryevna Burlinova, who had previously been sanctioned and indicted for their alleged activities.

Ionov and Burlinova were found to have influenced multiple individuals and political groups within the United States, all with the goal of creating or exacerbating divisions within the country, according to a sanctions announcement in July 2022.

Broader Government Effort

The recent sanctions and indictments are part of a broader government effort to aggressively combat foreign influence on elections. Experts predict that such interference is likely to increase in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential campaign. Former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Chris Krebs warned earlier this month that the threat landscape concerning election influence and interference is expected to be very active.

Editorial: Protecting Democracy in the Age of Digital Warfare

The sanctions against the Russian intelligence officers are a necessary step in protecting democratic processes from foreign interference. However, they also serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by democratic societies in the digital age.

The Threat Landscape

Election influence operations conducted by state actors, such as Russia, pose a significant threat to the integrity of democratic elections. Through the use of disinformation campaigns, social media manipulation, and the recruitment of individuals and groups sympathetic to their cause, these actors seek to undermine public trust in democratic institutions and sow division amongst the electorate.

As we have witnessed in recent elections around the world, these operations can have a profound impact on electoral outcomes. The ability of foreign actors to exploit vulnerabilities in the digital realm presents new challenges for governments and cybersecurity professionals alike.

The Role of Technology

The rise of technology has brought unprecedented opportunities for communication, connectivity, and access to information. However, it has also opened the door to new forms of warfare, with cyberspace becoming a battleground for malicious actors seeking to advance their own agendas.

While governments and organizations have made significant investments in cybersecurity, the evolving nature of digital threats requires constant vigilance and adaptation. The effectiveness of traditional defenses, such as firewalls and antivirus software, has been called into question as state-sponsored actors increasingly target individuals and exploit social networks.

The Russian intelligence officers implicated in election interference operations were able to recruit and forge ties with individuals worldwide due to the interconnected nature of the internet. This highlights the need for greater international cooperation in combating cyber threats and holding those responsible accountable.

Protecting Democracy

In order to safeguard democratic processes from foreign interference, a multi-faceted approach is required.

1. Strengthening Cybersecurity

Governments and organizations must invest in robust cybersecurity measures that go beyond traditional defenses. This includes continuous monitoring, threat intelligence sharing, and the development of advanced detection and response capabilities.

2. Promoting Digital Literacy

Public education and awareness campaigns are crucial in equipping individuals with the skills necessary to navigate the digital landscape. By promoting critical thinking, media literacy, and an understanding of the techniques employed by malicious actors, individuals can become more resilient against disinformation and manipulation.

3. Regulating Technology Companies

Technology companies have a responsibility to combat the spread of disinformation and ensure the integrity of their platforms. Governments should work hand-in-hand with these companies to develop and enforce regulations that promote transparency, accountability, and the protection of user data.

4. International Cooperation

The fight against election interference requires a coordinated effort on a global scale. Governments, intelligence agencies, and cybersecurity professionals must share information, collaborate on investigations, and impose consequences on state-sponsored actors engaged in malicious activities.