EU and Britain Target Russian Intelligence Officers Over Major Cyberspying Campaign

The European Union and Britain have jointly imposed sanctions targeting Russian military intelligence officers, hackers, and private companies involved in a widespread cyberespionage campaign. The coordinated action denounces what officials describe as years of online spying aimed at destabilizing European governments and sabotaging critical infrastructure.

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contribute to Russia's efforts to destabilize the EU, its member states and international partners.

The EU's sanctions affect nine individuals and four entities accused of participating in an online spying network that has targeted governments and carried out sabotage operations against essential services like heating and power plants since 2010. Britain has sanctioned 24 individuals and entities. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that those sanctioned "contribute to Russia's efforts to destabilize the EU, its member states and international partners."

Several European countries have reacted strongly to the cyber activities. Germany summoned Russia's ambassador, and France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced plans to summon the Russian envoy in the coming days. Barrot explained that the cyber activities aim to either gather information or sabotage operations, citing an incident in Poland involving railway infrastructure.

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either to capture information, or sabotage the operation, for example, of railway infrastructures, as it was the case in Poland.

The EU's sanctions primarily involve asset freezes and travel bans, focusing on the 16th Center of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Kallas noted that the FSB has been "controlling a variety of cyberthreat groups" and has engaged in "malicious cyberactivities with growing severity." Some countries have previously accused Russia of using cyberattacks and propaganda to interfere in elections. Sweden, for example, reported a pro-Russian group linked to Russian security services was behind a cyberattack on a heating plant.

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controlling a variety of cyberthreat groups

Britain specifically targeted Yevgeny Bashev, a member of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, and a company he allegedly runs, Impuls. Britain's sanctions notification stated that Impuls "provides technical and material support to cyberattacks and attempted cyberattacks conducted by GRU Unit 29155." The UK believes Russian intelligence agencies task cybercriminals to gather intelligence supporting Russia's military and foreign policy objectives, posing a threat to security across Europe. Impuls is accused of recruiting hackers and cyber specialists from Russian universities and academies.

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has conducted a wide range of malicious cyberactivities with growing severity.