Evening summary
It’s been a busy day in Washington and around the world.
- The supreme court confirmation hearing for Ketanji Brown Jackson concluded on Thursday, with judges and lawyers extolling her as a “brilliant” legal mind and exceptional jurist. Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell announced he would not support Jackson’s historic nomination to the court in a sign of how difficult it will be for her to win Republican votes.
- The state department announced indictments against four Russian nationals for allegedly attempting to hack hundreds of energy companies in countries around the world. It comes as the US is on heightened alert for a cyberattack by Russia.
- Joe Biden met in Brussels with allied leaders to discuss the war in Ukraine. He warned Vladimir Putin against using chemical weapons and said Russia should be removed from the G20. If not, he said Ukraine should be added to the group.
- The US and its allies announced new sanctions on more than 400 Russian elites and institutions.
- The US will accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees who have fled their country because of the war. The White House also announced it will provide more than $1bn in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, helping its citizens access food, medical care and psychological treatment.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
That’s all from us today. For updates on Ukraine, please follow our global live blog.
Updated
US indicts four Russians on charges of hacking energy companies
The United States has indicted four Russian nationals, including three intelligence officers, for allegedly engaging in a series of hacking campaigns that targeted hundreds of energy companies and organizations in approximately 135 countries.
The alleged incidents cover activity from 2012 through 2018, but come as the US warns operators of critical infrastructure that to be on high alert for a Russian cyberattack as tensions between the two superpowers escalate in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russian state-sponsored hackers pose a serious and persistent threat to critical infrastructure both in the United States and around the world,” said deputy attorney general Lisa Monaco. “Although the criminal charges unsealed today reflect past activity, they make crystal clear the urgent ongoing need for American businesses to harden their defenses and remain vigilant. Alongside our partners here at home and abroad, the Department of Justice is committed to exposing and holding accountable state-sponsored hackers who threaten our critical infrastructure with cyber-attacks.”
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