Current and former U.S. intelligence officials detail Russian cyberattacks

WASHINGTON— A sinister portrait of Russia’s cyberattacks on the U.S. emerged Wednesday as current and former U.S. officials told Congress Moscow targeted 21 state election systems, stockpiled stolen information and selectively disseminated it during the campaign in an effort to undermine the legitimacy of the American political process.

Jeanette Manfra, undersecretary for cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security, on Wednesday told the Senate intelligence committee there is evidence that Russian state actors targeted 21 state election systems, but said she couldn’t disclose the identities of the states because that was up to the states.

The Russians “used fake news and propaganda and they also used online amplifiers to spread the information to as many people as possible,” Bill Priestap, the FBI’s top counter-intelligence official, told the Senate Intelligence committee.

While he said the Russians had conducted covert operations targeting past American elections, the internet “has allowed Russia to do so much more” than before. But, he added, the “scale and aggressiveness” was different this time, with the primary goal being to sow discord and aid the candidacy of Republican Donald Trump, the eventual winner.

Russia’s actions did not change the final election count, they said, but warned that Moscow’s efforts will likely continue.

“I believe the Russians will absolutely try to continue to conduct influence operations in the U.S.,” which will include cyberattacks, Priestap said.