Germany Calls on Russian Envoy Amid Rising Cyberattack Concerns

Germany’s foreign ministry has summoned the Russian ambassador in Berlin, emphasizing that there will be consequences for hybrid attacks allegedly backed by the Moscow government, aimed at undermining democracy.

“We have observed a massive increase in threatening hybrid activities by Russia for some time,” stated ministry spokesman Martin Giese during a regular government news conference in Berlin on Friday.

Giese elaborated, “These activities range from disinformation campaigns and espionage to cyberattacks and attempted acts of sabotage.” He added that the German government possesses clear evidence linking Russia’s GRU military-intelligence agency to two specific incidents.

Among the incidents cited were a 2024 cyberattack on Germany’s air-traffic control system by a hacker group known as “Fancy Bear,” and interference in February’s election and other domestic affairs by a campaign dubbed “Storm 1516.”

Germany, in collaboration with its European partners, plans to implement “a series of countermeasures to make Russia pay a price for its hybrid actions,” Giese noted. These measures may include new sanctions targeting individuals, such as travel bans and asset freezes.

The Russian embassy in Berlin has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding these developments.

German authorities have successfully attributed two significant social-media campaigns to Russia by tracking financial transactions and communications. In some instances, there were direct links to the GRU, according to officials who provided a separate briefing on Friday.

From July 2024 to July this year, ten cases were investigated, including videos alleging a romantic affair involving former Greens Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. Officials, who requested anonymity in accordance with briefing rules, also examined claims that the current conservative chancellor, Friedrich Merz, was treated for psychological issues or that he shot baby polar bears in Canada.

Many of these posts remain accessible on platforms like X, as they generally do not constitute criminal acts, according to the officials.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics
Russia

Germany’s foreign ministry has summoned the Russian ambassador in Berlin, emphasizing that there will be consequences for hybrid attacks allegedly backed by the Moscow government, aimed at undermining democracy.

“We have observed a massive increase in threatening hybrid activities by Russia for some time,” stated ministry spokesman Martin Giese during a regular government news conference in Berlin on Friday.

Giese elaborated, “These activities range from disinformation campaigns and espionage to cyberattacks and attempted acts of sabotage.” He added that the German government possesses clear evidence linking Russia’s GRU military-intelligence agency to two specific incidents.

Among the incidents cited were a 2024 cyberattack on Germany’s air-traffic control system by a hacker group known as “Fancy Bear,” and interference in February’s election and other domestic affairs by a campaign dubbed “Storm 1516.”

Germany, in collaboration with its European partners, plans to implement “a series of countermeasures to make Russia pay a price for its hybrid actions,” Giese noted. These measures may include new sanctions targeting individuals, such as travel bans and asset freezes.

The Russian embassy in Berlin has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding these developments.

German authorities have successfully attributed two significant social-media campaigns to Russia by tracking financial transactions and communications. In some instances, there were direct links to the GRU, according to officials who provided a separate briefing on Friday.

From July 2024 to July this year, ten cases were investigated, including videos alleging a romantic affair involving former Greens Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. Officials, who requested anonymity in accordance with briefing rules, also examined claims that the current conservative chancellor, Friedrich Merz, was treated for psychological issues or that he shot baby polar bears in Canada.

Many of these posts remain accessible on platforms like X, as they generally do not constitute criminal acts, according to the officials.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics
Russia