US slaps widespread sanctions on Russia over hacking

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – The U.S. on Thursday applied wide-ranging sanctions on Russia for its alleged role in hacking related to this year's presidential race.

The penalties target nine entities and individuals, including Russia's main intelligence directorate, the GRU, and its Federal Security Service.

President Barack Obama said in a statement the move follow "repeated private and public warnings" to Russia, "and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior.

"All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions," he said, likely referring to his forthcoming successor, Donald Trump, who has cast doubt on the U.S. intelligence community's findings that Russia is culpable for a series of hacks targeting the Democratic Party and its presidential nominee in the race, Hillary Clinton.

For its part, the Russian government has adamantly denied the charges.