Russia Officially Accused by France for Cyber Attacks
Russian Hackings on French Soil: The GRU's Unwelcome Presence
France has leveled some serious accusations against Russia's military intelligence, the GRU. From as early as 2017, the GRU has been allegedly wreaking cyber havoc on French soil, as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on Tuesday, April 29. The GRU, according to Barrot, has been operating under a strategy known as APT28, launching cyber attacks against approximately ten French entities since 2021.
While France isn't exactly new to accusing Russian operators, this is the first time that a public statement has been made directly pinning the responsibility of a foreign state's intelligence service. This move serves as a diplomatic signal, particularly as Paris steps up its support for Ukraine, escalating tensions with Russia. "These destabilizing activities are unacceptable and unbecoming of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated emphatically.
In a revealing twist, the French authorities disclosed the existence of GRU unit 20728, a key contributor to APT28 operations. Located in Rostov-on-Don, this unit is part of the 166th Information Research Center. By unveiling the unit, France aims to showcase its intelligence prowess and make it crystal clear where Russian hackers stand.
historically, the GRU has been linked to three significant incidents:- The 2015 TV5 Monde hack, a cyberattack that briefly paralyzed the French broadcasting network. Though initial attribution wasn't made public, it's now believed that the GRU was responsible.- Emails belonging to key supporters of Emmanuel Macron were hacked and leaked ahead of the 2017 presidential runoff, following a pattern similar to the 2016 US election hacks.- In recent years, there's been a surge in attacks on defense, financial, and economic sectors, which intensified after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Attacking organizations related to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics has also been on the GRU's agenda, although the specific impacts of these attempts remain undisclosed. French officials describe these attacks as part of a wider strategy to destabilize their country.
The allegations against the GRU mark France's first official attribution of cyberattacks to a foreign intelligence service. This move comes amid heightened scrutiny of Russian cyber operations, particularly as Western nations rally behind Ukraine. The offensive operations of the GRU are deemed "unworthy of a permanent UNSC member" by the French Foreign Ministry, in light of United Nations norms on responsible state conduct in cyberspace, to which Russia is a signatory.
- In light of the allegations against Russia's GRU for cyberattacks on French soil, France aims to showcase its intelligence prowess by unveiling GRU unit 20728, a key contributor to APT28 operations.
- The GRU, Russia's military intelligence, has been allegedly launching cyberattacks against approximately ten French entities since 2021 and has been operating under a strategy known as APT28.
- While France isn't exactly new to accusing Russian operators, this is the first time that a public statement has been made directly pinning the responsibility of a foreign state's intelligence service, with the GRU being the target.
- Upon unveiling GRU unit 20728, France aims to make it crystal clear where Russian hackers stand, especially in the context of heightened tensions with Russia, as Paris steps up its support for Ukraine.
- Attributing cyberattacks to a foreign intelligence service is a significant diplomatic move, especially in the context of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, where the GRU has also been accused of attempting to destabilize France by attacking organizations related to the event.
