**Germany Calls in Russian Ambassador over Air Traffic Control Hack Claims**

The German government has summoned the Russian Ambassador to discuss alleged cyberattacks on air traffic control systems and a disinformation campaign aimed at influencing national elections.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Germany's air traffic control authority, Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), was targeted by a sophisticated cyberattack in August 2024. The attack was attributed to the Russian hacking group "Fancy Bear" (APT28) and is believed to have been carried out with the support of Russia's military intelligence service, GRU.

The DFS system manages air traffic control for over 2 million flights per year, making it a critical component of Germany's transportation infrastructure. The cyberattack was described as "sophisticated" and "targeted," suggesting that it was designed to cause maximum disruption to the country's air traffic control systems.

In addition to the cyberattack, the German government also accused Russia of running a disinformation campaign aimed at influencing national elections. The campaign, known as Storm 1516, has been active since at least 2023 and has targeted several countries, including Ukraine, Germany, the United States (including the state of Georgia), and others.

Storm 1516 is believed to be a hybrid threat operation that combines cyberattacks, disinformation, propaganda, intelligence gathering, and economic pressure to influence public opinion and destabilize governments. The German government warned that these tactics are becoming increasingly common and pose a significant threat to national security.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese stated: "Our intelligence findings prove that the Russian military intelligence service GRU bears responsibility for this attack... On the other hand, it can now be definitively stated that Russia, through the 'Storm 1516' campaign, attempted 'to influence and destabilize both the last federal election and the ongoing internal affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany'."

Giese also warned that Russia's hybrid threats are increasing in frequency and sophistication, citing cyberattacks, disinformation, and other state-sponsored actions as major concerns. He confirmed that the German government is working with European partners to develop coordinated countermeasures to address these threats.

Germany's move comes amid growing tensions between the country and Russia over Ukraine and other issues. The Russian Embassy in Berlin has not commented on the latest allegations, but has previously rejected similar accusations as baseless.

The German government's decision to summon the Russian Ambassador marks a significant escalation of tensions between the two countries. As Germany prepares for national elections, the government is taking steps to ensure the integrity of its electoral process and protect against foreign interference.