US intelligence officials reportedly say sources in Russia have gone quiet ahead of the midterm elections

Spencer Platt/Getty

• Sources in the Kremlin and close to Russian President Vladimir Putin have gone silent recently, US intelligence officials told The New York Times on Friday.
• Officials don’t believe the sources have been compromised or killed, but rather have become more afraid of getting caught and taken out as Moscow ups the ante in hunting down traitors.
• This has left US intelligence agencies with no clear picture of Putin’s intentions for interfering in the upcoming midterm elections. 

For years, there has been a small but steady stream of intelligence leaks out of the Russian government, but US officials say information has all but dried up as the midterm elections approach, according to a new report The New York Times published on Friday. 

US intelligence officials who spoke with the Times, on the condition of anonymity, said high-ranking Russian sources have gone quiet recently, leaving them with no clear picture of President Vladimir Putin’s intentions for influencing the upcoming elections — which could lead the Democrats to taking back Congress. 

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

NOW WATCH: Meet the woman behind Trump’s $ 20 million merch empire

See Also:

• Your opinion matters — Join BI Insiders program
• 11 facts about flirting that single — and married — people should know
• Russian President Vladimir Putin gives Austria’s foreign minister an intense stare as he dances with her on her wedding day

SEE ALSO: Trump delays Pompeo’s trip to North Korea because the regime hasn’t made ‘sufficient’ progress on denuclearization

DON’T MISS: Michael Cohen reportedly balked at paying off Stormy Daniels until the ‘Access Hollywood’ tape was released — and that could cut through his and Trump’s defense