Alleged Russian Cyberattacks on Germany
Germany recently accused Russia of orchestrating a series of cyberattacks, specifically targeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party, the Social Democrats (SPD).
German Foreign Minister’s Statement
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock revealed that a government investigation linked the cyberattack to a Russian group known as APT28, which operates under the Russian military intelligence service GRU.
Baerbock emphasized that the attack was state-sponsored and unacceptable, vowing that there would be consequences for Russia’s actions.
APT28’s History
APT28, also referred to as Fancy Bear or Pawn Storm, has a history of carrying out cyberattacks worldwide.
Last year, the SPD reported that cybercriminals targeted email accounts of its executives by exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook.
The German interior ministry disclosed that Russian hackers targeted not only the SPD but also companies in various sectors such as logistics, defence, aerospace, and IT.
Poland’s Response
Poland stood in solidarity with Germany and the Czech Republic, condemning the cyberattacks carried out by Russian entities in cyberspace.
Poland’s Foreign Ministry Statement
The Polish foreign ministry denounced the harmful activities of Russian entities in cyberspace, mentioning that Poland had also been a target of APT28 attacks.
Although no specific details were provided regarding the attack, Poland expressed its commitment to enhancing cyber defense and protecting critical infrastructure.
Czech Republic’s Allegations
Officials in the Czech Republic echoed similar accusations against Russia, stating that state institutions had been targeted by cyberattacks attributed to APT28.
Joint Statement by German and Czech Officials
During a joint news conference, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Czech counterpart Vit Rakusan emphasized the threat posed by such cyberattacks to democracy, national security, and free societies.
Rakusan highlighted that his country had experienced numerous cyberattacks on its infrastructure, urging Russia to cease such activities.
The Russian Embassy in Germany refuted the allegations, dismissing them as unsubstantiated and groundless.
