Germany Accuses Russian Military of Cyber Hacking
Germany has pointed fingers at Russian military agents for hacking into the upper echelons of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party, along with other sensitive government and industrial targets. This accusation comes amidst already strained relations between the two countries, exacerbated by Germany’s support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Accusations and Reactions:
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock implicated Russian military cyber operators in the hacking of emails belonging to the Social Democrats, the leading party in the German governing coalition. The attack reportedly exploited vulnerabilities in Microsoft Outlook. Baerbock, speaking at a news conference in Adelaide, Australia, condemned the cyber assault, attributing it to a unit of Russia’s GRU military intelligence.
The German Interior Ministry revealed that the hacking campaign, dating back to at least March 2022, targeted not only political entities but also German companies, particularly those in defense and aerospace sectors, as well as institutions related to the ongoing war. Efforts led by the FBI reportedly shut down a botnet used by the Russian hackers in late January.
International Response:
The hacking campaign drew condemnation from NATO, the EU, and individual European nations. The EU, in a statement by its top diplomat, Josep Borrell, strongly denounced the cyber campaign against Germany and Czechia, noting previous sanctions imposed on entities associated with the hackers.
NATO accused the group, known as Fancy Bear or APT28, of targeting various national governmental entities and critical infrastructure across the Alliance. The North Atlantic Council emphasized the alliance’s commitment to countering cyber threats and considering coordinated responses.
Consequences and Future Actions:
While German Foreign Minister Baerbock vowed consequences for the cyber attack, neither she nor German officials specified what these might entail. With EU elections looming in June, the bloc emphasized its intolerance for such attacks, signaling potential further actions against perpetrators.
Overall, the cyber espionage, allegedly conducted by Russian military agents, has heightened tensions between Russia and Germany, prompting international condemnation and calls for coordinated responses to safeguard against future threats.
