Europe holds Russia responsible for cyberattacks on infrastructure
European security authorities believe Moscow is recruiting criminals and hackers to carry out sabotage attacks in Europe. France, the United Kingdom and Germany summoned Russian ambassadors.
Europe holds Russia responsible for cyberattacks on infrastructure
European security authorities hold Moscow responsible for increasing cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. According to intelligence assessments, Russia is recruiting criminals and hackers to carry out ever more severe sabotage operations in European countries. In response, France, the United Kingdom and Germany summoned the Russian ambassadors.
A particularly serious incident occurred on the afternoon of 29 December. At that time, a digital attack was directed against power plants, substations and solar installations in Poland. The timing appeared to be deliberately chosen – the attack fell during a period of severe cold weather. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people could have lost electricity and heating in the middle of winter.
Poland's grid operator managed to prevent worse consequences. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski later admitted: "We were on the brink of a blackout." Although the attacks did not cause the damage they intended, the danger was immense.
According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, experts believe that Russian intelligence services are behind the attacks. The approach is similar to the strategy of so-called hybrid warfare, in which state actors exploit criminal structures for their purposes.
The diplomatic measures taken by the three European countries show that the attacks are no longer being treated as isolated incidents. They are being classified as part of a broader threat to European security.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung