The U.S. State Department is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to any foreign person or entity engaging in election interference. This announcement comes just weeks before Americans select their next president.
The department’s Rewards for Justice program specifically called out Russian media organization Rybar LLC for using social media to promote discord, division, and hate in the United States. Rybar created a channel on the X platform called “TexasvsUSA” to exploit the issue of undocumented immigrants crossing the Texas border.
Rybar also used social media channels #HOLDTHELINE and #STANDWTHTEXAS to spread pro-Russian propaganda. The organization receives funding from Russian defense industrial organization Rostec, which has been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department.
Rybar’s co-founder, Mikhail Zvinchuk, a former member of Russia’s special forces, has become one of the most influential Russian military bloggers. He announced the opening of a “Rybar Media School” in Serbia to teach propaganda strategies in Western countries.