US hits Moscow with sanctions over election and nuclear plots

WASHINGTON last night hit Russia with fresh sanctions for interfering in the US election. Officials also said Kremlin agents had tried to infiltrate American nuclear facilities.

Nineteen individuals were targeted by the sanctions along with the FSB security agency, the successor to the KGB.

The measures – the strongest action so far by Donald Trump’s administration against Moscow – were not linked to the Salisbury spy case.

The US President stopped short of condemning the Kremlin for involvement in the nerve agent attack but said it ‘certainly looks like the Russians were behind it’.

A senior administration source said Russian agents infiltrated parts of the American power supply grid – before being identified and ‘removed’.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement: ‘The administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyberactivity, including their attempted interference in US elections, destructive cyberattacks and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure.’