US spy chiefs vow to reveal Russia 'hack' motive

America's top intelligence official has pledged to go public next week with the motives for Russia's alleged hacking of the US presidential election.

Director of national intelligence James Clapper said he had a very high level of confidence that Russia hacked Democratic Party and campaign staff emails and helped spread propaganda and fake news before Donald Trump's victory.

Mr Clapper and spy chiefs Marcel Lettre and Admiral Michael Rogers warned Russia is a "full-scope cyber actor" that poses a major threat to America's government and its critical infrastructure.

The trio claim Russian officials - acting on orders from Vladimir Putin - interfered in last year's election to help Republican Donald Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

In their assessment, they said: "We assess that only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorised the recent election-focused data thefts and disclosures" and Moscow has a "highly-advanced offensive cyber programme".

Mr Clapper claimed Russia has a "long history" of interfering in elections going back to the 1960s but never as "aggressive" and "direct" as this time.

Asked by a congressman on the Senate Armed Services Committee if they "will ascribe a motivation to Putin", Mr Clapper said: "Yes, we will ascribe motivation."

Committee chairman Senator John McCain said "every American should be alarmed" by Russia's meddling.

But he said the committee's probe did not intend to question the result of November's election.

The alleged hacking led to new sanctions by President Barack Obama against Moscow and 35 Russian diplomats were expelled from the US.

Moscow has denied the hacking allegations and dismissed the sanctions as an attempt to "harm Russian-American ties."

A report on election meddling by Russia and other foreign countries has been delivered to Mr Obama, and his successor Mr Trump is reportedly due to be briefed later.

The intelligence agencies claim at least 30 nations are developing technology to launch cyber attacks against the US.

The White House race was unexpectedly won by billionaire businessman Mr Trump, amid claims Moscow helped to sway it by hacking into emails of the Democratic National Committee.

The President-elect has expressed scepticism that Russia was behind the hacking, and his spokesman has denied reports Mr Trump plans to restructure the spy agencies.

During the Washington hearing, Mr Clapper hit out at Julian Assange, founder of the WikiLeaks organisation which is being investigated for leaking classified information.

He said Mr Assange's work has put American lives at risk by publishing names.

He did not elaborate, while WikiLeaks accused him of lying to Congress.

Mr Clapper, Mr Lettre and Admiral Rogers also claim Beijing continues to run cyber-spying operations against the US, despite Chinese President Xi Jinping agreeing to halt them in 2015.

Meanwhile, former Indiana Senator Dan Coats is expected to be appointed as Mr Clapper's successor.