Russia spent over $300 million to influence foreign elections since 2014: U.S. officials

Russia has reportedly transferred over $300 million to foreign political parties since 2014, in an apparent attempt to "undermine democracy" worldwide, a top Biden administration official says.

The allegation was reported Tuesday by CNN, which does not name the official or officials who provided the information. 

"In its review, the [U.S. intelligence committee] found that Russia has covertly transferred over $300 million dollars, and planned to covertly transfer at least hundreds of millions more to foreign political parties, officials and politicians in more than two dozen countries and across four continents in this period," the official reportedly said.

The official also said Russia has likely transferred additional funds covertly in cases that have gone undetected.

Russia's motive is "trying to advantage specific political parties and undermine democracy in all of these countries," the official said. "Our view is one of the most effective ways to counter Russian covert influence is to expose it."

The review's findings, which were ordered by administration officials earlier this summer, were downgraded, likely from classified to top secret status, so allies and the public could receive the information, according to the official. 

Countries invited to the Summit for Democracy in December were given the findings and steps to counter the threat. The countries that were impacted are being quietly briefed by the U.S. 

The Biden administration hope that releasing the information publicly will raise awareness around the world about the threat of Russian covert political financing, cause other countries to share their own information about Russia's operation with the U.S., and clearly show that Russia's covert political influence is a "global phenomenon that demands coordinated action," the official also said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent a cable on Monday to embassies across the globe about the review's findings, explaining that Russia has meddled with more than two dozen countries.