The government of President Barack Obama, who had vowed to slap Russia for the hacking, is also expelling 35 Russian diplomats, who now have 72 hours to leave the country.
The five entities sanctioned are the Autonomous Noncommercial Organization Professional Association of Designers of Data Processing Systems, the Federal Security Service, the Main Intelligence Directorate, the Special Technology Center, and Zorsecurity.
“These actions are not the sum total of our response to Russia’s aggressive activities. We will continue to take a variety of actions at a time and place of our choosing, some of which will not be publicized,” the White House said in a statement. “In addition to holding Russia accountable for what it has done, the United States and friends and allies around the world must work together to oppose Russia’s efforts to undermine established international norms of behavior, and interfere with democratic governance. To that end, my Administration will be providing a report to Congress in the coming days about Russia’s efforts to interfere in our election, as well as malicious cyber activity related to our election cycle in previous elections.”
But the Kremlin has denied any involvement in cyber hostile acts against the Democratic National Committee or Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta.
The Trump transition team has also contested the claim that Russia meddled in the US election. They say the claim is aimed at rubbishing the victory of the Republican candidate over Hilary Clinton. claims.
“If the CIA Director [John] Brennan and others at the top are serious about turning over evidence … they should do that,” Trump aide Kellyanne Conway said on CBS’ Face the Nation earlier in the month.
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