Kerry says he accepts US intelligence assessment on Russian hacking

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday he accepted the U.S. intelligence assessment that the "highest level" of the Russian government was responsible for cyber attacks during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.

Asked during a news conference if he thought Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the hacking of the Democratic National Committee, Kerry said: "I accept the judgment of the intelligence community that this went to the highest level" of the Russian government.

(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Writing by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by Eric Beech)