In a new report, The New York Times expands on information relating to the bounty Russians were willing to pay Afghans for each American or coalition personnel killed.
The cash to be paid: up to $100,000.
The Times report specifically names an Afghan national, Rahmatullah Azizi, described as a one-time “lowly drug smuggler,” as the middleman in these payments. He was found with more than $500,000 in cash hidden in his home to fulfill these contracts.
Claiming that he was never briefed about the Russian-sponsored bounty program targeting US and allied forces, Trump has claimed the story is “fake news” created “to damage [him] and the republican party.”
The Trump Administration has announced no plans to sanction the Russian government for the bounty program.