Trump administration sanctions Russian companies tied to worldwide hacking

Russian flag at US embassy. — (Image credit: MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

The Trump administration has some mixed messages for Russia.

Three days ago, President Trump wanted the country back in the G7. Now, his Treasury Department is tossing sanctions on companies and people tied to Russian cyber attacks on the U.S., Reuters reports.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced sanctions against three Russian individuals and five companies tied to Russia's intelligence agency, saying they strengthened Russia's cyber capabilities, per Reuters. Those skills reportedly facilitated last year's worldwide NotPetya cyber attack as well as hits against the U.S. energy grid and internet infrastructure, and even helped Russia infiltrate underwater communication cables that span the world's oceans.

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The U.S. previously sanctioned other Russians and companies who've gotten too close to Moscow, including some who allegedly tampered with the 2016 election.

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Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.