Germany’s foreign ministry reported that the country has accused Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, of carrying out cyberattacks on vital infrastructure, including air traffic control systems, and on democratic processes, including election-related systems. This is probably the strongest of Berlin’s cyber-political statements and reflects the phenomenon of cyber-political posture. It reflects the phenomenon of cyber-political posture.
The GRU is linked to multiple cyber attacks: A great concern to citizens
Germany’s warning is serious, and the public could feel the impact of the attacks. With respect to the GRU, Germany has taken a huge step. Attacks attributed to the GRU have a lower impact on public systems. This is a new and great step in Germany’s way to tackle hybrid dangers. This is a new and great step in Germany’s way to tackle hybrid dangers.
What did officials do about it?
In this case, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock simply announced that Germany had summoned the Russian ambassador in Berlin to complain. Cyber attacks raise Germany’s threat level against Russia’s military.
Cyber attacks are a threat to Germany’s sovereignty, and as a result, they endanger the democratic control of Europe and the entire airspace. Germany has announced that it will act in close cooperation with EU countries and NATO, and that it will carry out joint cyber attacks in order to carry out new measures.
After a long investigation, German cybersecurity agencies released their findings
After being investigated for months by Germany’s cybersecurity and intelligence agencies, the German government has confirmed the attribution. Forensic evidence has observed similar patterns of digital intrusion and cyber-attack infrastructures with APT28.
How were they attacked?
In this instance, the attacks APT28 executed are believed to be built on previously identified cyber attacks on servers and systems, facilitating intercommunications and data exchange within air traffic control IT systems.
Although the attacks did not result in the cancellation of flights or jeopardize the safety of air travel, experts believe undetected breaches on air safety control IT systems could result in catastrophic events. Moreover, the cyber attacks on election systems to be used in the upcoming regional elections further raised concerns of undetected cyber voter suppression.
Were the attacks on Berlin part of a wider military strategy?
Berlin has attributed these attacks to be a part of a wider military strategy to weaken democracy and the political situation in the country. These military tactics are designed not to cause damage, but to weaken the political and social order of the country by enhancing social and political uncertainty. The attack on the election systems clearly illustrates his political objectives within the militarization of the GRU in harmony with the Russian state’s geopolitical objectives.
The EU has also expressed its concern with the attack on Germany and has labeled the cyberattacks as crimes against International Law. The EU and Germany have announced that they will discuss in the upcoming summit the possibility of implementing legal and illegal sanctions.
The cyber attacks have also been reported to and condemned by NATO. NATO has stated its commitment to the defense of its members against any cyber attacks and that such attacks may allow the organization to exercise the collective defense provisions of the NATO treaty.
Russia has denied any involvement whatsoever and stated that Germany’s comments are biased. The Russian Federation’s statements are that there are no links or evidence and that Western states are simply inventing hostility by making unsanctioned cyber attacks. Despite the Russian Federation’s comments, cybersecurity experts have noted that the operational patterns and systems used with these campaigns of cyber attacks are consistent with those utilized and executed by the Russian cyber warfare branch, the GRU.
