The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) will respond to Russia's series of cyberattacks on U.S. institutions, the military and private companies with a major cyberattack of its own at a time of its own choosing.

The muscular U.S. response follows damaging leaks traced to Russian state-sponsored hackers attempting to smear only Democratic Party candidate for president Hillary Clinton while strangely leaving Republican Party candidate Donald Trump untouched.

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Trump has continually indicated a fondness for Russian president Vladimir Putin, a fondness Putin has reciprocated. Both men despise U.S. president Barack Obama as an effete tree hugger and a weakling.

The straw that broke the U.S.' back was apparently a major cyber attack that stole records from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and its affiliates by Russian-backed hackers. Last week, the U.S. formally blamed the Russian government for cyber-attacks on the DNC and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Vice President Joe Biden said the CIA will be "sending a message" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden. He said any cyber counterattack will come "at the time of our choosing, and under the circumstances that will have the greatest impact."

American media is also reporting that intelligence officials were asked to present the White House with ideas for a "clandestine" cyber operation to "embarrass" Putin.

"We've always hesitated to use a lot of stuff we've had, but that's a political decision," said a former CIA officer. "If someone has decided, 'We've had enough of the Russians,' there is a lot we can do."

The Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said recent disclosures of alleged hacked emails on websites like DCLeaks.com and WikiLeaks, and by the Guccifer 2.0 online persona, were consistent with previous Russian modus operandi.

"We believe, based on the scope and sensitivity of these efforts, that only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorized these activities," said both agencies in a shared statement.

Clinton claims the theft of Democratic Party records proves Russian intelligence is attempting to help Trump defeat her in the presidential election on Nov. 8.

TagsCentral Intelligence Agency, CIA, Russia, cyberattacks, Hillary Clinton for President 2016, donald trump, Vladimir Putin