Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The Biden administration announced the sanctions today Andrew Harnik via PA Images

US expels 10 Russian diplomats and imposes new round of sanctions

The White House said the 10 diplomats being expelled include representatives of Russian intelligence services.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION has announced the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats and sanctions against nearly three dozen people and companies as it moved to hold the Kremlin accountable for interference in last year’s presidential election and the hacking of federal agencies.

The actions, foreshadowed for weeks by the administration, represent the first retaliatory measures announced against the Kremlin for the hack, familiarly known as the SolarWinds breach.

In that intrusion, Russian hackers are believed to have infected widely used software with malicious code, enabling them to access the networks of at least nine agencies in what US officials believe was an intelligence-gathering operation aimed at mining government secrets.

Besides that hack, US officials last month alleged that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised influence operations to help Donald Trump in his unsuccessful bid for reelection as president, though there is no evidence Russia or anyone else changed votes or manipulated the outcome.

The measures announced today include sanctions on six Russian companies that support the country’s cyber activities, in addition to sanctions on 32 individuals and entities accused of attempting to interfere in last year’s presidential election, including by spreading disinformation.

The 10 diplomats being expelled include representatives of Russian intelligence services, the White House said.

The White House also said Biden was using diplomatic, military and intelligence channels to respond to reports that Russia encouraged the Taliban to attack US and allied troops in Afghanistan based on the “best assessments” of the intelligence community.

Reports of alleged “bounties” surfaced last year, with the Trump administration coming under fire for not raising the issue directly with Russia.

The White House did not publicly confirm the reports.

“The safety and wellbeing of US military personnel, and that of our allies and partners, is an absolute priority of the United States,” the White House said today.

It was not immediately clear what, if any, other actions might be planned against Russia.

Officials had previously said they expected to take actions both seen and unseen.

The sanctions, presumably intended to send a clear retributive message to Russia and to deter similar acts in the future, are certain to exacerbate an already tense relationship between the US and Russia.

President Joe Biden told Putin this week in their second call to “de-escalate tensions” following a Russian military build-up on Ukraine’s border, and said the US would “act firmly in defence of its national interests” regarding Russian intrusions and election interference.

Close
34 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry O'Neill
    Favourite Barry O'Neill
    Report
    Jun 26th 2012, 11:17 AM

    How long can Germany hold out with the game of chicken they are playing? Surely they realise that the game is now up and the rest of Europe cannot continue to subsidize their booming exports at the expense of their citizens. They are playing a dangerous game. I hope they don’t wait until it is too late.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karswell
    Favourite Karswell
    Report
    Jun 26th 2012, 1:21 PM

    The current German government will try to keep their current strategy going until autumn 2013, the next German election. After that, all bets will be off..

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mel
    Favourite mel
    Report
    Jun 26th 2012, 11:08 AM

    “Stability and jobs” isn’t that right Enda

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karswell
    Favourite Karswell
    Report
    Jun 26th 2012, 11:19 AM

    Mel – this is about Spain. Strangely enough, Enda Kenny is not a member of the Spanish government, why bring his name up here? Criticism only works if it has some tiny amount of relevance. Is Noon responsible for the crappy weather? Perhaps Adams should be credited with Irish butter being softer than that of other countries…

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fagan's
    Favourite Fagan's
    Report
    Jun 26th 2012, 1:15 PM

    For all the advantages of the Euro, the fact that 5 countries in it are now bankrupt, this will probably get up to half of the countries and much of the zone’s banking system is insolvent. It is kind of a big deal.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute On de dole
    Favourite On de dole
    Report
    Jun 26th 2012, 11:18 AM

    haha the costas gonna be even better dis year now dat were closer to the spanyards dan ever lol!

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds