U.S. Sanctions Target GRU and IRGC Affiliates for Election Disinformation and Deepfake Campaigns

The U.S. Department of State and the Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions against affiliates of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The sanctions target entities accused of orchestrating “deepfakes” and disinformation campaigns designed to “stoke socio-political tensions and influence the U.S. electorate during the 2024 U.S. election.”

“Today’s actions build on sanctions previously imposed on the IRGC, the GRU, and their numerous subordinate and proxy organizations,” stated the U.S. State Department. These sanctions focus on entities involved in malicious cyber activities and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasized the gravity of the situation. “The Governments of Iran and Russia have targeted our election processes and institutions and sought to divide the American people through targeted disinformation campaigns.

The United States will remain vigilant against adversaries who would undermine our democracy.” Among the entities sanctioned is the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise (CGE), which Treasury officials claim “directs and subsidizes the creation and publication of deepfakes” to influence U.S. elections.

According to the Treasury, CGE personnel worked closely with a GRU unit specializing in cyberwarfare and political interference, using generative AI tools to create and disseminate false narratives. These narratives were distributed through a network of websites mimicking legitimate news outlets to obfuscate their Russian origins and create the illusion of corroboration.

One alleged target of these efforts was Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz, as previously reported by The Washington Post. A viral fake video smearing Walz, created using generative AI, reportedly reached nearly 5 million views on X (formerly Twitter) within 24 hours, according to Microsoft. U.S. intelligence officials confirmed the video’s Russian origins.

Additionally, The Washington Post uncovered documents linking John Mark Dougan, a former U.S. Marine and deputy sheriff who fled to Moscow, to GRU-funded disinformation operations. Dougan’s network allegedly played a key role in spreading the fake video targeting Walz.

While the Treasury Department focused its sanctions on Russia and Iran, NBC News reported a separate revelation that Treasury systems were compromised in a state-sponsored Chinese cyberattack. China has denied the allegations.

The sanctions come amid a backdrop of shifting foreign policy discussions. In September, Donald Trump suggested lifting sanctions on Russia, Iran, and China, according to The New Republic. The ongoing sanctions, however, underline the Biden administration’s commitment to countering foreign interference and protecting democratic institutions.