Germany confronts Russia over 'unacceptable' cyber attacks on SPD and industries
Last year, Russia conducted an attack on the co-governing SPD party in Germany. In response, the German Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian embassy's charge d'affaires in Berlin. According to the German government, the actions of the APT28 hacker group were also directed against government agencies and companies in the logistics, defence, aviation, and IT services industries.
The German Foreign Ministry issued a statement declaring that summoning the charge d'affaires was a clear diplomatic signal to Moscow. "We would like to clearly state that we do not accept this kind of behaviour; we strongly condemn it and reserve the right to take appropriate action," the statement reads.
Wolfgang Buechner, deputy government spokesperson, expressed the German government's stance on the matter. He emphasised that the German government strongly condemns the repeated and unacceptable cyber attacks, for which Russian state-controlled entities are responsible. Buechner called on Russia to cease such actions, as reported by the DPA news agency.
Germany has evidence
Buechner said the actions of the APT28 hacker group can be specifically attributed to the Russian military intelligence GRU based on credible information from German intelligence services.
The campaign also targeted government agencies and companies in logistics, defence, aviation, IT services, foundations, and associations. It was targeted at objectives in Germany and other European countries, as well as targets in Ukraine, he said. APT28 was also responsible for a cyberattack on the Bundestag in 2015.
Threat to democracy
Buechner assessed that Russia's irresponsible actions in cyberspace are contrary to international norms. He noted that such actions deserve special attention, especially in a year when elections are taking place in many countries. Cyber attacks on political parties, state institutions, and critical infrastructure companies pose a threat to democracy, national security, and a free society.
The head of German diplomacy, Annalena Baerbock, on Friday confirmed that the GRU was behind last year's cyberattack on the SPD leadership. - Russian state hackers attacked Germany in cyberspace - the minister emphasised during a visit to Australia. Baerbock also announced that Russia would face "consequences" for its actions.
