Authorizing programs to counter and combat Russian disinformation activities

(a) Countering russian influence fund The Secretary of State should use funds available for obligation in the Countering Russian Influence Fund— (1) to prioritize assisting Ukraine to detect and combat disinformation from the Russian Federation and its proxies; and (2) to assist the Government of Ukraine in developing new defense strategies and technologies. (b) Strategy required (1) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a plan for countering and combating disinformation by the Russian Federation and supporting free and independent media in Ukraine that includes— (A) a plan to assist the Government of Ukraine in combating and responding to malign influence operations of the Russian Federation aimed at inflaming tensions and dividing Ukrainian society; (B) an assessment of effective efforts and programs to improve media literacy in Ukraine and recommendations for how the United States can assist in supporting and expanding those programs; (C) a plan to assist the Government of Ukraine improve efforts to detect and remove content originating from Russian troll farms, bots, and other sources aimed at sowing division and disseminating disinformation in Ukraine or targeting Ukrainian audiences; (D) recommendations to increase support for independent media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; and (E) recommendations to increase support for independent media outlets catering to Russian-speaking populations residing in Russian-occupied Crimea, the Donbas region of Ukraine, and throughout Ukraine. (2) Form The strategy required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex if necessary.