US intel: Kremlin targets ’18

The US spy chief said Tuesday that Russia has not slowed down aggressive cyber attacks and warned Vladimir Putin is targeting the 2018 midterm elections.

“There should be no doubt that Russia perceived its past efforts [in the 2016 election] as successful and views the 2018 US midterm elections as a potential target for Russian influence operations,” Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Russian operatives continue to publish fake news stories, spread misinformation on social media and sow discord — because it’s working.

“Let me be clear. The Russians utilize this tool because it’s relatively cheap, it’s low-risk, it offers what they perceive as plausible deniability, and it’s proven to be effective at sowing division,” Coats said.

“We expect Russia to continue using propaganda, social media, false . . . personas, sympathetic spokesmen, and other means to . . . exacerbate social and political fissures in the United States.”

The hearing featured testimony from Coats, CIA Director Mike Pompeo and FBI Director Christopher Wray on worldwide threats to the US. They reiterated their belief in the Russia report issued under the Obama administration that found Putin ordered an influence campaign in the 2016 presidential election to undermine democracy, denigrate Hillary Clinton and help Donald Trump win.