If Russia was doing this, they would do it in such a way that it could not be tracked back to them. What? You don't think they would be dumb enough to initiate it from within there borders do you?
That is, unless they wanted it tracked back to them, which is actually even scarier.
Plausible deniability: Hackers are private citizens, not working under the direction or permission of the Russian Government (wink - wink).
Maybe Putin's plan is to make a show trial, arresting his detractors, claiming they are the hackers, or using Snowden as his scapegoat. It's clear he blames Obama and Clinton for the economic sanctions which has added to his countries economic problems, and prefers Trump who will be easy to manipulate.
Why is the right wing is defending Russia? Has the
RED SCARE been downgraded since Trump praised Putin?