France to Summon Russian Ambassador Over Cyberattack Campaign

France announced it will summon Russia's ambassador in Paris in response to a "vast cybernetic campaign" targeting European nations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot revealed that the operation, attributed to Russia's FSB intelligence services, involved both sabotage and espionage.

Barrot described the cyberattacks as an orchestrated effort aimed at "a dozen European countries." The targets included companies, ministries, and operators, with the objective of capturing information or disrupting critical infrastructure, such as Poland's railway system. France plans to retaliate by imposing sanctions on nine individuals and four entities allegedly involved in these hostile cyber activities.

The French minister highlighted that these attacks have affected ten countries, including France, in recent days. He emphasized that these measures are intended to counter Russia's alleged cyber warfare and bolster security against threats that could potentially influence electoral processes, such as the upcoming 2027 presidential and legislative elections in France.

This diplomatic action underscores the escalating tensions between France and Russia in the digital realm, as European nations grapple with increasingly sophisticated cyber threats originating from Moscow.