US President Donald Trump characterized a reported Russian bounty story by the New York Times a "hoax," saying it does not exist.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media.

Trump said on Twitter the story is a "Fake News tale" intended to damage the president and his Republican Party.

"The secret source probably does not even exist, just like the story itself. If the discredited @nytimes has a source, reveal it. Just another HOAX!,” he said.

The New York Times reported Friday that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition forces, including American troops in Afghanistan.