Germany accuses Russia of cyberattacks and summons the ambassador
In a notable diplomatic and security escalation, the German government on Friday formally and directly accused Russia of being behind a series of serious cyberattacks that targeted critical infrastructure and the democratic process in the country during the summer of 2024. In response to these violations, the German Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in Berlin to lodge a strongly worded official protest.
Details of the attacks and the parties involved
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry confirmed at a press conference that security investigations had unequivocally established the involvement of Russian state-sponsored hacking groups in these operations. The spokesperson explained that the attack targeting the German Aviation Safety Agency (DGSA) in August 2024, which threatened air traffic, was carried out by the APT28 group, known internationally as Fancy Bear. Furthermore, a campaign known as Storm 1516 was uncovered, which systematically sought to influence the federal parliamentary elections and destabilize the German political system.
The context of hybrid warfare and the history of attacks
This incident is not the first of its kind, but rather part of a broader context of what experts describe as a "hybrid war" waged by Moscow against European countries supporting Ukraine. The APT28 group has a long history of targeting Western institutions, having been accused of hacking the German parliament's (Bundestag) network in 2015, as well as being involved in cyberattacks targeting the US presidential election. Experts point out that these groups are closely linked to the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU), lending a military and official character to these cyber threats.
The German position and anticipated European measures
Berlin has announced that it will not stand idly by in the face of these threats. The German Foreign Ministry stated that it is preparing a "series of countermeasures" to hold Russia accountable, in full coordination with its partners in the European Union and NATO. These measures include pushing for new and stricter individual sanctions against entities and individuals involved in these cyber operations at the European level.
Geopolitical influences and growing concerns
These accusations are particularly significant given Germany's position as the second largest military and financial supporter of Ukraine after the United States since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. European governments are on high alert amid increasing intelligence reports warning of escalating Russian espionage activities, potential sabotage operations, suspicious drone flights near airports and vital facilities, as well as disinformation campaigns aimed at dividing the European ranks.
