Biden said he isn't concerned about potential interference with the Nov. 8 election results, saying "the capacity ... to fundamentally alter the election is not what people think." | Getty Biden: 'We're sending a message' to Russia over hacks

Vice President Joe Biden says the U.S. is planning to retaliate against Russia for a series of cyberattacks targeting the Democratic National Committee and other political operations.

"We're sending a message. We have the capacity to do it," Biden said in an interview airing Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."


"He'll know it," Biden added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "It will be at the time of our choosing — and under the circumstances that have the greatest impact."

Earlier this month, the U.S. intelligence community took the unprecedented step of publicly blaming the Russian government for the hacking that resulted in a trove of political emails being dumped online.

The incident has even further strained already contentious U.S.-Russia relations and ramped up pressure on the administration to respond. The CIA is reportedly preparing options for a cyberattack against Russia in retaliation for the recent incursions.

Biden made clear, though, he isn't concerned about potential interference with the Nov. 8 election results, saying "the capacity ... to fundamentally alter the election is not what people think."