US blames Russia for hacking to tip elections

By Esra Kaymak Avci

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. on Friday officially blamed Russia for running a hacking campaign to influence the upcoming presidential elections, according to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

"The U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC) is confident that the Russian government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from U.S. persons and institutions, including from U.S. political organizations," a joint statement by the Department of Homeland Security and Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Election Security said.

"These thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the U.S. election process."

According to the statement, the campaign includes hacking computers of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and other political officials.

Hackers also altered actual ballot counts or election results by cyber attack or intrusion, the statement said, and it stressed that such kind of activity was not new to Moscow.

The DNC announced in June that its investigation found the Russian government was responsible for some apparent actions that aimed to ruin the U.S. elections process.

The Obama administration has also blamed Russia for hacking the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the email addresses and cell phone numbers of Democratic lawmakers.

Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson and his team are currently working to offer assistance and provide additional resources to states and local officials to enhance cybersecurity during the election process, according to the statement.