Russia unveiled a new initiative to spread Moscow’s message by radio and Internet in 30 different languages, the latest effort in the Kremlin’s intensifying information war with the West.

Russia’s federal oversight authority in the sphere of communication (Roskomnadzor) said on Monday it had nothing to do with CNN International’s decision to withdraw from Russian cable networks. “You’d better ask CNN shareholders why the channel stops its broadcasting in Russia,” Vadim Ampelonsky, a Rospomnadzor spokesperson, told TASS.

It’s a shame that not enough people back in the UK realise the value this 82-year-old institution has for Britons travelling overseas, whether they’re doing business or seeing the sights.

Russia Today has been threatened with statutory sanctions by media regulator Ofcom after the Kremlin-backed news channel breached broadcasting regulations on impartiality with its coverage of the Ukraine crisis.

The battle for hearts and minds of the global television news audience has entered a new phase with the launch of a dedicated UK version of the Kremlin-backed 24-hour news channel, RT.

On this day 85 years ago, on October 29, 1929, Radio Moscow, now known to the world as Radio VR, began its first international broadcast, transmitting in German. It would soon begin broadcasting in French and English as well. 

The state-owned Russian broadcaster is launching the channel at the end of the month on Freeview channel 135 and Sky channel 512. It will broadcast from studios based in London’s Millbank and cover local and national UK stories. RT will air five hours of original programming every day including news, documentaries from local producers and chat shows, supported by programming from its main international channel.