Why would the Russians hack their communist allies?
Competition. Lack of trustworthiness. Less likely to recarve the world into spheres of influence.
One partial reason could be is that they’re worried by and about islamists. The NYT and democrat party are saturated with them. It seems to behoove Vald, from his own perspective, to want to keep an eye on them, both in foreign matters, and domestically.
No doubt The New York Times has much information that it declines to publish which might be very valuable to the Russians. Moreover, that information might prove valuable to the Russians with which to blackmail the (Democrat) politician that the New York Times is protecting or the New York Times itself.
Because NOBODY wants the Clintons in power. Seriously - Who in their right mind would want a blatantly criminal enterprise running a competing superpower?
Cynical speculation:
It’s more complicated than that. Russia is no longer communist. It’s Oligarchist/Imperial. Or at least imperial wannabe. Ivan perceives its sphere of influence and interests to include several nations and clients, including Syria and Iran (who happen to have been allied together for a long time.)
On the other hand, you have O & H. They are normally bought and paid for by the house of Saud, as have been others before them. (See the famous ‘bow’ picture.)
They have committed the cardinal sin of politicians, which is: they didn’t stay bought.
Instead, they destabilized the region, including Egypt (former Soviet client), Libya (former Soviet client), and Syria (current Soviet client). Also, thanks to the influence of VJ, they are attempting to cozy up to Iran and replace or at least displace Russia as their benefactor.
Ivan is not happy about this, really about any of these as they are direct or indirect attacks on their sphere of influence. The Syria mess, especially is (perhaps) a direct attack on their energy (natural gas) monopoly to Europe. Hence, Ivan is very upset.
Thus, H, while nominally a communist, and probably still one, is a serious threat as her actions, and O’s have had a significant negative effect on Ivan’s policies and plans. Ivan would rather get them both out of the way and replace them with someone with whom they can practice the ‘art of the deal’.
This doesn’t mean DT is bought and paid for either, but rather that he is perceived as the least harmful option, as he is not overtly hostile.
They probably have hacked the RNC, etc. too, but ... that’s not where the action is.
Or maybe I’ve read too much Tom Clancy. Could be.
Because they're Muslims and fascists.