The U.S. government is considering new sanctions against Moscow after the allegedly Russia-backed hack of Democratic Party computer systems last month, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
Some 20,000 emails were leaked from Democratic National Convention (DNC) systems, embarrassing senior party figures and forcing chairperson Debbie Wasserman Schultz to resign.
A number of government officials, along with independent security firms, have claimed that Kremlin-backed hackers were responsible for the breach.
“I know for sure it was the Russians,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement to journalists on Thursday. She likened the breaches to an “electronic Watergate.” Officials were still assessing the damage caused, she said.
Levying sanctions would require the White House to make formal accusations against Russia, a policy that the United States has typically avoided following cyber-attacks.
Russia has called the accusations “absurd” and vehemently denies any involvement.
“When the administration has sufficient evidence, it will make the attribution public as well as consider any other steps necessary,” Adam Schiff, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told the Wall Street Journal.
The United States, European Union and a number of allied countries have enforced economic and travel sanctions against Russia since 2014 over Russia’s annexation of Crimea and role in the Ukraine conflict. Russia responded to the measures with a ban on food imports from Western nations.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
