Germany Condemns Russia for Cyber Attack in 2023: Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock Takes Action

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has accused Russia of a cyber attack that occurred in 2023, sparking international condemnation and escalating tensions between the two countries. In a press conference on Friday, Baerbock declared the attack as “completely unacceptable and will not remain without consequences.”

The attack targeted members of the Social Democratic Party and was attributed to the APT28 group, which is controlled by the Russian military intelligence service GRU. The Federal Government, led by the Federal Foreign Office, conducted an investigation and pointed the finger at Russia for the cyber intrusion.

However, the Russian embassy in Berlin denied these allegations, stating that their ambassador was summoned to the federal foreign office and accused of the cyber attack without sufficient evidence. The embassy emphasized that they strongly denied the accusations and viewed it as a move to create anti-Russian sentiment in Germany, potentially damaging Russo-German relations.

The United States also condemned the cyber attack, labeling it as “malicious” and calling on Russia to cease such activities and abide by international norms. The US has previously sanctioned actors associated with APT28 for engaging in malign cyber activities. They expressed their support for Germany and vowed to work with the EU and NATO allies to disrupt Russia’s cyber operations and hold malicious actors accountable.

NATO affirmed its solidarity with Germany and Czechia, both of which have been targeted by APT28 cyber attacks. The organization condemned Russia’s actions, noting similar cyber intrusions in other European countries, including Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden. NATO reiterated its commitment to countering the growing cyber threat and called on all states to uphold international law and respect their obligations.

The accusations and denials surrounding the 2023 cyber attack have heightened tensions between Germany and Russia, with international allies standing in solidarity with Germany and condemning Russia’s alleged malicious cyber activities. The situation underscores the increasing importance of cybersecurity and the need for global cooperation to combat cyber threats.