Daily US Times: Russian President Vladimir Putin likely authorised pro-Trump influence attempts to the US general election in favour Donald Trump, US intelligence officials say.

According to a US government report, Russia spread “misleading or unsubstantiated allegations” about the eventual winner, Joe Biden.

The report also said no foreign government had compromised the final results.

Moscow has repeatedly denied allegations of election interference.

The 15-page report was released on Tuesday. The report, published by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, outlined what it said were “influence operations” pushed by Russia as well as Iran.

The report Russian-linked individuals had spread unsubstantiated claims about Joe Biden in an attempt to influence pro-Trump campaign ahead of the 3 November election. A disinformation campaign sought to undermine confidence in the broader election process, according to the report.

Some people connected to Russian intelligence also pushed anti-Biden narratives to senior officials and allies of Mr Trump and also media outlets, the report said.

President Joe Biden defeated Mr Trump and was inaugurated on 20 January.

The report added that, while Russia had sought to boost Donald Trump’s chances of victory, Iran had launched a “multi-pronged covert influence campaign” in an effort to weaken Trump’s support.

Former President Donald Trump pursued a policy of “maximum pressure” on Iran, escalating a war and imposing damaging sanctions of words between the two nations.

The report also concluded with “high confidence” that China chose not to “deploy interference efforts” ahead of the vote.

You may read: Six Asian women killed in shootings at US spas