Russia to face 'consequences' for 'NotPetya' cyber attack, says White House

The United States on Thursday pinned the blame for the massive 2017 'NotPetya" cyber attack firmly on Russia and warned Moscow it will face "international consequences."

The attack launched in June 2017 by the Russian military “spread worldwide, causing billions of dollars in damage across Europe, Asia and the Americas,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

“It was part of the Kremlin’s ongoing effort to destabilize Ukraine and demonstrates ever more clearly Russia’s involvement in the ongoing conflict,” Sanders said. “This was also a reckless and indiscriminate cyber attack that will be met with international consequences.”

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The attack affected thousands of computers, particularly affecting multinational companies and critical infrastructure. The Kremlin has denied involvement.

The statement came days after leaders of USintelligence agencies again warned that Russia, and potentially other adversaries, were likely to attempt to use cyber means to meddle in the U.S. midterm elections in November.

The USgovernment is “reviewing a range of options,” a senior White House official said when asked what consequences Russia would face.

It was not clear what those options were, nor what was meant by “international consequences.”

Earlier on Thursday Russia denied being behind the attack, saying the accusations were part of a “Russophobic” campaign that it said was being waged by some Western countries.

The White House had intended to release a statement about ‘NotPetya’ at the same time as London, but those plans were delayed due to a school shooting in Florida, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

(With inputs from agencies)