Republican-led committee says Russia funded 'useful idiot' environmentalists

House lawmakers say Russia backed Dakota Access pipeline protesters and supported them on social media, but evidence is thin

A powerful US congressional committee has alleged that Russia financed major environmental organizations and used social media to support opponents of the Dakota Access pipeline, fracking and fossil fuels.

The Republican-controlled committee claimed in a new report that the Kremlin is attempting to make "'useful idiots' of unwitting environmental groups and activists" to further its global agenda.