U.S. gov’t blames Russia for hack of agencies; says it appears to be an ‘intelligence gathering’ effort
WASHINGTON, DC — Top national security agencies are confirming in a rare joint statement that Russia was likely responsible for a massive hack of U.S. government departments and corporations, rejecting President Donald Trump’s claim that China might be to blame.
The statement represents the U.S. government’s first formal attempt to assign responsibility for the breaches at multiple agencies and to assign a possible motive for the operation.
It says the hacks appeared to be intended for “intelligence-gathering,” suggesting the evidence so far pointed to a Russian spying effort rather than an attempt to damage or disrupt U.S. government operations.
Russia has denied involvement in the hack.
