Image Source : AP US Secretary of State Antony Blinken The US State Department on Friday (September 13) announced new sanctions on the Russian state media while accusing a Kremlin news outlet of working hand-in-hand with the Russian military and running fundraising campaigns to pay for sniper rifles, body armour, and other equipment for soldiers involved in the war in Ukraine. The State Department accused it of playing key role in carrying out ‘covert influence activities’ aimed at undermining American elections and democracies. While the outlet, RT, has previously been sanctioned for allegedly “spreading Kremlin disinformation”, the latest allegations by the US suspect its role beyond influence operations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that RT is a key part of Russia’s war machine and its efforts to undermine its democratic allies. The State Department said it is starting a diplomatic campaign to alert nations about the risks associated with RT activities and disclosed declassified US intelligence findings suggesting RT is completely integrated with Russia’s intelligence operations worldwide. “We took these steps based on our …