US intelligence officials acquired the documents, which were prepared by the Moscow-based Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, after the election. The first Russian institute document was a strategy paper written last June that circulated at the highest levels of the Russian government but was not addressed to any specific individuals. The current and former US officials spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the Russian documents’ classified status. Putin’s spokesman and the Russian institute did not respond to requests for comment. On its website, the Russian institute describes itself as providing “expert appraisals”, “recommendations” and “analytical materials” to the Russian president’s office, cabinet, national security council, ministries and parliament.

Source: The Guardian April 19, 2017 22:18 UTC