Germany has accused Russia of a cyber-attack on air traffic control and attempted electoral interference, and summoned the Russian ambassador.
A foreign ministry spokesman stated that Russian military intelligence orchestrated a cyber-attack against German air traffic control in August 2024. Russia is also accused of seeking to influence and destabilise the country's federal election earlier this year.
This announcement comes amidst growing concern across Europe regarding Russian cyber activities since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia has categorically denied these claims, labeling them as absurd.
Germany's foreign ministry emphasized that in close coordination with European partners, countermeasures will be taken in response to Russia's actions.
The August 2024 cyber-attack is attributed to the Fancy Bear hacker group, which has been linked to previous high-profile cyber incidents. Germany's intelligence has confirmed responsibility for this attack lies with the Russian military intelligence service (GRU).
The allegations mark a further deterioration of relations between Germany and Russia as Germany strongly supports Ukraine with military and diplomatic aid. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for the use of frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine's defense effort.
Tensions had already been strained prior to the recent accusations, notably following the killing of an ethnic Chechen in Berlin linked to Russian state security.
Moscow has traditionally denied any involvement in such accusations aimed at its hybrid warfare capabilities against European nations.
