US Elections: Fake Bomb Threats "Coming from Russia", Says Senate Intelligence Committee
Intelligence officials allege that a troll farm linked to the Russian government sent over 100 hoax bomb threats to schools across the US
The threats, sent via email, caused widespread panic and disruption
The Senate Intelligence Committee has accused Russia of being behind a wave of fake bomb threats that targeted schools across the United States in September 2021. The threats, which were sent via email, caused widespread panic and disruption, forcing many schools to evacuate and cancel classes.
According to intelligence officials, the threats came from a troll farm linked to the Russian government. The troll farm is known for spreading disinformation and propaganda online, and has been linked to Russian intelligence in the past.
The threats were sent to schools in all 50 states, and were timed to coincide with the start of the new school year. The emails claimed that bombs had been planted in the schools, and threatened to detonate them if ransom demands were not met.
The threats caused widespread panic and disruption. Many schools were forced to evacuate, and some were even closed for the day. The threats also caused a great deal of fear and anxiety among students, parents, and teachers.
The Senate Intelligence Committee has said that the threats were part of a deliberate campaign to sow discord and disruption in the United States. The committee has also said that the threats were likely intended to influence the outcome of the 2022 midterm elections.
The US government has taken steps to address the threat of fake bomb threats. The FBI has launched an investigation into the threats, and the Department of Homeland Security has issued a warning to schools about the potential for further threats.
The government has also urged schools to take steps to protect themselves from fake bomb threats. These steps include:
- Educating students and staff about fake bomb threats
- Developing a plan for responding to fake bomb threats
- Working with law enforcement to identify and apprehend those responsible for making fake bomb threats
The government has also urged the public to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. The public can report suspicious activity by calling the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or by visiting the FBI's website at www.fbi.gov.
