Putin ‘ordered’ US election hacking to boost Donald Trump’s chances, intelligence report finds
The report warned Moscow will try to influence the elections of US allies
VLADIMIR Putin "ordered" a campaign of hacking to influence the US presidential election and boost Donald Trump's chances, a US intelligence report has found.
It also warned Moscow will try to manipulate the elections of US allies over the coming months.
A declassified version was released today after Trump and top lawmakers were briefed from the full report.
Intelligence officials stated Russia directed the "hacking and media manipulation" to undermine Hillary Clinton after Putin developed a "preference" for Trump.
"We assess Russian President Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election," said the report from the Director of National Intelligence.
"Russia's goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency.
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"We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump."
The report, which was commissioned by President Barack Obama, stated that Russia wanted to help Trump's chances by discrediting Clinton.
It said Moscow used a variety of tactics in a bid to sway the outcome.
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