Biden: "Russia's Cyber Attacks Could Escalate into Actual Shootouts"

Warning in National Intelligence Service Speech: "Russia Spreading False Information"

U.S. President Joe Biden (Photo by AP)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] U.S. President Joe Biden warned that Russia is already interfering in next year's U.S. midterm elections and that cyberattacks could escalate into actual shooting wars.

On the 27th (local time), according to CNN and others, President Biden stated in his first speech at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) since taking office that Russia is spreading disinformation to influence next year's U.S. midterm elections.

He emphasized, "(Russia's actions) completely violate our sovereignty, and disinformation makes it harder for people to verify facts and make decisions."

He also warned that cyberattacks could trigger a "real shooting war." President Biden said, "We have seen how cyber threats such as ransomware attacks can cause damage and destruction in the real world," expressing concern that "it is highly likely to end in an actual war."

Earlier, President Biden addressed the issue of Russian cyberattacks as a major agenda item during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, but the talks ended with only disagreements and no significant outcomes.

The U.S. has recently pointed to Russia as behind government agency hacks and ransomware attacks on the U.S. pipeline company Colonial Pipeline.

He also promised the political neutrality of intelligence agencies, targeting controversies over the politicization of intelligence during former President Donald Trump's administration, telling staff, "I will never politicize the work you do."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.