US sanctions Russians for election meddling, cyber attacks

The US on Thursday announced sanctions on a series of Russian organisations and individuals in retaliation for interference in the 2016 presidential elections and other "malicious" cyber attacks.

It was the most significant action taken against Moscow since President Donald Trump took office, the New York Times reported.

The sanctions came at the same time the Trump administration joined a collective statement with Britain, France and Germany denouncing Russia for its apparent role in a nerve gas attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter on British soil.

The countries in a joint statement called the attack on former spy a "clear violation" of international law.

The US sanctions targeted many of the same Russian organisations and operatives identified by Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller in an indictment in February that outlined an "audacious attempt to spread disinformation and propaganda to disrupt American democracy and influence the vote on behalf of Trump".

The sanctions also responded to other cyber attacks, including a previously undisclosed attempt to penetrate the American energy grid.

The sanctions targeted five Russian organisations and 19 individuals, barring them from travelling to the US, freeze any assets in the country and bar American businesses and individuals from doing business with them.

Among the groups sanctioned were the Federal Security Service, the successor to the KGB known by its Russian acronym FSB, and the Russian military intelligence known as GRU.

In addition to the election meddling, the attacks cited by the Treasury Department included the NotPetya cyber attack that caused billions of dollars in damage in the US, Europe and Asia.

"The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity, including their attempted interference in US elections, destructive cyber attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

"These targeted sanctions are a part of a broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from Russia."

The action came a day after Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats and announced other measures in response to the poisoning attack.

--IANS

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