France Accuses Russian Military Intelligence of Cyberattacks
France has formally accused Russian military intelligence of being behind a series of cyberattacks against the country over the past decade. The attacks, which have targeted various French entities including organizations involved in high-profile events such as the 2024 Paris Olympics and Emmanuel Macron's first presidential campaign in 2017, are attributed to a branch of Russian military intelligence known as GRU.
In a statement released by Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on X, France condemned the use of APT28 attack group, also known as Fancy Bear, which has been linked to numerous global cyberattacks. The group is accused of targeting personal email accounts to retrieve data and messages, or gain access to other machines on a system.
A Brief History of APT28
APT28, Fancy Bear, has been involved in several high-profile cyberattacks over the years, including the 2016 US presidential election. The group was accused of aiding Donald Trump by leaking Democratic Party emails and those of Hillary Clinton's campaign. This attack highlighted the group's ability to manipulate public opinion and influence electoral processes.
In another notable incident, APT28 posed as Islamic State militants to hack into the French-language channel TV5 Monde in 2015. The hackers aimed to "manipulate public opinion" and "create a panic in France". This attack is just one example of how APT28 has targeted media outlets in its cyberattacks.
Current Threats and Response
The French government has warned that entities in France attacked since 2021 include those working in the daily lives of French people, including public services, private enterprises, and a sport organization involved in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Media outlets are also among the hackers' preferred targets.
French officials have expressed concern about the risk of interference in elections set for 2027, when Macron will be unable to stand again due to term limits, and the far-right is expected to be a major contender. The French government has vowed to use all necessary means to anticipate Russia's malicious behavior in cyberspace, discourage it, and respond to it where necessary.
International Cooperation
The threat of APT28's cyberattacks is not unique to France; several international intelligence services have warned about Fancy Bear attacks against NATO countries. Ukraine has been one of the group's priorities since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022, with constant pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Poland, a staunch ally of Ukraine, has also warned that Moscow might seek to interfere with a presidential vote set for May 18 through cyberattacks and disinformation. France and Poland are set to sign a "friendship treaty" on May 9, coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin presiding over a huge parade in Moscow on the same day as Russia marks victory in World War II.
Conclusion
The accusation of Russian military intelligence involvement in cyberattacks against France highlights the growing threat of state-sponsored cyber warfare. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is essential for countries to work together to anticipate and respond to these threats.