The Trump Administration on Thursday issued several sanctions agains Russia, and it also announced that Russia has been deliberately trying to infiltrate and attack the U.S. energy grid for some time.

BREAKING: Trump administration accuses Russia of ongoing, deliberate operation to penetrate US energy grid. — The Associated Press (@AP) March 15, 2018

It is not known how long Russia has been engaging in the ongoing, malicious cyber attacks.

#Russia has been trying to infiltrate US “energy grid,” says the official in background briefing for @WhiteHouse reporters. — Steve Herman (@W7VOA) March 15, 2018

The new sanctions against Russia are for the country’s interference in the 2016 Presidential election and for engaging in cyber attacks.

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BREAKING per senior administration officials: US designating multiple Russian entities and officials for cyber attacks on US energy grid, meddling in the 2016 presidential election, and other malign activity — Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) March 15, 2018

Five entities and 19 individuals – including the 13 indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller as part of his Russia investigation – are being sanctioned for “Russia’s destabilizing activities,” an official said, and that the Russian government is “reckless and irresponsible.”

Voice of America’s White House Bureau Chief Steve Herman live-tweeted the announcement as it unfolded Thursday.

“Today’s sanctions also target other destructive cyber attacks,” the official said.