New York Times: Putin Hints at U.S. Election Meddling by ‘Patriotically Minded’ Russians
MOSCOW — Shifting from his previous blanket denials, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Thursday that “patriotically minded” private Russian hackers could have been involved in cyberattacks last year to help the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump.
While Mr. Putin continued to deny any state role, his comments to reporters in St. Petersburg were a departure from the Kremlin’s previous position: that Russia had played no role whatsoever in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and that, after Mr. Trump’s victory, the country had become the victim of anti-Russia hysteria among crestfallen Democrats.
Raising the possibility of attacks by what he portrayed as free-spirited Russian patriots, Mr. Putin said that hackers “are like artists” who choose their targets depending how they feel “when they wake up in the morning.”
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WNU Editor: When I heard his answer .... I just knew that the press was going to try and spin it in another way .... Putin Praises Trump and Suggests Russian Hand in Hacking (Bloomberg). On a side note .... so much for all of this talk and claims that Russia was interfering in the french election .... The Latest: France says no trace of Russian hacking Macron (AP).
More News On Russian President Putin Denying Reports That The Kremlin Hacked The U.S. Election But Admitting That 'Patriotically Minded' Private Russian Hackers Could Have Been Involved In Cyberattacks
Putin: Russian state has never been involved in hacking -- Politico/AP
Putin: Russian state has never been involved in hacking -- The Hill
PUTIN: The Kremlin didn't hack Democrats, but 'patriotically minded' Russians might have -- Business Insider
Putin: Patriotic Russians may be involved in hacking -- BBC
Vladimir Putin hints 'patriotic' private Russian hackers could have meddled in 2016 US election -- The Independent
Patriotic Russians May Have Staged Cyber Attacks on Own Initiative: Putin -- US News and World Report/Reuters
Putin: Election hacks could be work of 'patriotic minded' private Russians -- The Hill
Putin Says 'Patriotic' Hackers May Have Launched Cyberattacks Against the West -- Newsweek
Putin Says It’s “Possible” Russian Hackers Attacked Clinton, Democrats -- Slate
Putin Says Patriotic Hackers Could Be Fighting for Russia -- Bloomberg
