In a statement, NATO has attributed a series of cyber attacks targeting various countries and organizations within the Alliance to the hacking group APT28, which is linked to Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (GRU).
According to NATO, APT28 is responsible for the cyber attacks on the Social Democratic Party of Germany and several state institutions in the Czech Republic. The statement from NATO allies further noted that APT28’s attacks have also targeted national government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and other organizations across the Alliance, including in Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden.
The affected countries have received expressions of solidarity and pledges of support from NATO allies in repelling these attacks. The statement emphasized NATO’s commitment to promoting “a free, open, peaceful, and secure cyberspace.”
In a stern warning to Russia, the statement read, “We call on all States, including Russia, to respect their international obligations and commitments to uphold international law and act within the framework for responsible state behavior in cyberspace as affirmed by all members of the United Nations.”
Notably, this is the second statement in two days from NATO allies cautioning Russia regarding its cyber activities.
