US accuses Russia of ongoing operation to hack energy grid

The Trump administration is accusing Russia of a concerted, ongoing operation to hack and spy on the US energy grid and other critical infrastructure.

US national security officials say the FBI, the Homeland Security Department, and American intelligence agencies determined that Russian intelligence and others were behind the attacks on the energy sector.

The officials say the Russians deliberately chose US energy industry targets, obtaining access to computer systems and then conducting “network reconnaissance” of industrial control systems that run American factories and the electricity grid.

US government has helped energy businesses kick out the Russians from all systems currently known to have been penetrated, according to the officials.

Earlier today, the US separately imposed sanctions on Russian officials for alleged high-tech interference in the 2016 American presidential election.

The accusations and accompanying sanctions are some of the strongest actions to date by the administration to punish Russia for hacking and other efforts to sow discord in the American democracy.

— with AP