Russian cyberattacks on US to continue: intel chief

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) – Russia is likely to continue cyberattacks against the U.S., National Intelligence Director James Clapper said Thursday.

“Russians have a very active and aggressive capability to conduct information operations, so called hybrid warfare,” Clapper told a congressional panel.

“That's been a long standing practice of theirs going back to the Soviet era and I anticipate that it will continue,” he added.

Hacked emails from Democratic Party officials were released by WikiLeaks during the presidential campaign that pointed to the Democratic National Convention favoring Hillary Clinton against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sander for the party’s nomination.

The intelligence agency and the Department of Homeland Security said Russia’s most senior officials might have been behind the hack. Russia has denied any involvement.

Clapper told the House Intelligence Committee that Russia has curtailed its cyber-activity after the U.S. administration contacted Moscow.

The top spy also told lawmakers that Russia appears to have expanded its base in the Syrian port of Tartus on the eastern Mediterranean coast to help its naval operations in the region.

Russia recently deployed its only aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, to Syria as well as S-300 air defense systems.

“That indicates that clearly the Russians are there to stay,” Clapper added.