DOD on reports by “anonymous official” to media that Putin offered bounties to Russian GRU Operatives, Taliban for killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan

Statement by Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs on Intelligence That Russian GRU Operatives Were Engaged in Malign Activity Against the U.S. and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan

DOD Statement attributable to Chief Pentagon Spokesman Jonathan Hoffman:

“The Department of Defense continues to evaluate intelligence that Russian GRU operatives were engaged in malign activity against United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan. To date, DOD has no corroborating evidence to validate the recent allegations found in open-source reports. Regardless, we always take the safety and security of our forces in Afghanistan — and around the world — most seriously and therefore continuously adopt measures to prevent harm from potential threats.”

The DNI oversees the U.S. Intelligence Community and serves as principal adviser to the President on intelligence issues.

Statement by DNI Ratcliffe: “I have confirmed that neither the President nor the Vice President were ever briefed on any intelligence alleged by the New York Times in its reporting yesterday.”