Google said that it is adjusting its algorithm to sniff out fake news which is being planted by two Kremlin-backed news agencies – Sputnik and Russia Today.

Russia’s chief media regulator Alexander Zharov is cross about this and has sent a letter to Google requesting a clarification.

“We will receive an answer and understand what to do next. We hope our opinion will be heard, and we won’t have to resort to more serious 'retaliatory measures'”.

The Russian government funds Sputnik and Russia Today, or RT. Both of the websites spread misinformation and published stories that were negative toward Hillary Clinton during the 2016 US presidential election, US intelligence agencies have said.

Russia’s Zharov said he would monitor “how discriminating this measure will be in its practical embodiment. It is obvious that we will defend our media”.