In the weird world of Russia’s Western-focused propaganda effort, the two big guns are Russia Today and Sputnik. But the Kremlin’s effort to spread disinformation, distraction, discord, and doubt runs far wider than those two alone.

It starts with RT and Sputnik, Vladimir Putin’s disinformation imperial guards. These skillful active measures outlets serve Putin’s narrative as it evolves each day. In their activity, they rely upon useful idiots in the West such as certain elements at the U.S.-based One America News Network. But there are a wide range of other pro-Putin western influence outlets beyond the imperial guard and the useful idiots. Many are funded by crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and Patreon. I note this because both China and Russia use crowdfunding platforms to conceal their financial support to advocates abroad.