Russian President Vladimir Putin is dropping the “data warfare” in Ukraine, CIA Director Invoice Burns mentioned Thursday, brushing away Moscow’s claims that Kyiv may use chemical weapons.
Talking at a Senate Intelligence Committee listening to on worldwide threats, Burns warned that Russia may use chemical weapons, saying the allegations raised by Moscow to make use of as a false flag operation “is one thing … very a lot part of Russia’s playbook.”
“In all my years I spent as a profession diplomat, I noticed too many situations the place we misplaced data wars with the Russians,” mentioned Burns. “On this case, I believe we’ve got had quite a lot of impact in disrupting their ways and calculations and demonstrating to your complete world that that is premeditated and unprovoked aggression constructed on a physique of lies and false narratives.”
“That is one data warfare that I believe Putin is dropping,” the CIA chief added.
Different witnesses on the listening to had been Director of Nationwide Intelligence Avril Haines, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Protection Intelligence Company Director Scott Berrier and Gen. Paul Nakasone, Commander of United States Cyber Command.
Haines accused Russian forces of working with “reckless disregard” for the protection of civilians in Ukraine.
She mentioned the US intelligence group doesn’t have any proof that Ukraine is pursuing organic or nuclear weapons.
“This affect marketing campaign is totally in step with longstanding Russian efforts to accuse the USA of sponsoring bioweapons work,” within the nation, she added.
Earlier within the day, the White Home pushed again on allegations from Russia that the US has biowarfare labs in Ukraine, sustaining that it’s Moscow that has a organic weapons program.
Spokeswoman Jen Psaki mentioned not solely does Russia have the “capability” to make use of chemical and organic weapons however it additionally has a “historical past of utilizing” them.
“On this second we must always have our eyes open for that risk,” she informed reporters.
The warning is available in response to claims by Russian Overseas Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova who mentioned paperwork recommend “elements of bioweapons had been being developed in Ukraine.”