Russia covertly spent $300m to meddle abroad – US

Russia spent more than $300m to influence politicians in more than 24 countries since 2014, according to the US. 

The Department of State’s allegation is based on a declassified US intelligence assessment released on Tuesday. 

Russia has yet to comment on the allegations but Moscow repeatedly accuses the US of meddling abroad. 

American intelligence “assesses that these are minimum figures and that Russia likely has transferred additional funds covertly in cases that have gone undetected”, said the Biden administration official during a phone briefing.

No specific countries or officials believed to have been targeted have been named – but the assessment says it spans four continents. 

The US intelligence community is now privately briefing select countries on the alleged Russian covert financing. The briefings will remain confidential, according to an official.