An already heated presidential race faced further strain from a string of reported bomb threats in battleground states—causing some delays on Election Day.

State and local officials across the affected areas are working with the federal government to investigate the bomb hoaxes. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, responded to Russia’s apparent role in the threats, saying "Vladimir ...

"Unfortunately, when something bad happens, it is often claimed to be of Russian origin," a Russian official told Newsweek.