U.S. intelligence agencies say Russia likely behind hacking of government agencies

FILE PHOTO: The SolarWinds headquarters are seen in Austin, Texas, U.S., December 18, 2020. REUTERS/Sergio Flores/File Photo

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The office of the U.S. Director of National Intelligence on Tuesday said Russia was "likely" behind a string of hacks identified last month that gained access to several federal agencies.

The office, along with the FBI, the National Security Agency, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency inside the Department of Homeland Security, in a joint statement, said the hackers' goal appeared to be collecting intelligence, rather than any destructive acts. They said they had so far identified "fewer than 10" agencies that were hacked.