Russia says Microsoft playing 'political games' over attack on US elections

The Russian authorities deny allegations from Microsoft that hackers linked to Russia's government tried to target the websites of two right-wing U.S. think-tanks, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday.

The Russian authorities deny allegations from Microsoft that hackers linked to Russia's government tried to target the websites of two right-wing U.S. think-tanks, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday.

The software giant said it had thwarted the Russia-linked attempts last week, which it suggested showed Moscow was broadening its attacks in the build-up to November elections.

Interfax cited an unnamed Russian diplomatic source on Tuesday as describing Microsoft's allegations as part of a political game.

"Microsoft is playing political games," it cited the source as saying. "The (mid-term U.S.) elections have not happened yet, but there are already allegations."

Microsoft was acting like a prosecutor rather than a private company, Interfax quoted the source as adding.

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