Germany warns Russia of retaliation for 'intolerable' cyberattack

Germany's Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has accused Russian military intelligence, the GRU, of conducting a cyber attack on the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the leading party in Germany's ruling coalition. The attack, which targeted email accounts of SPD executives, has been attributed to APT28, also known as Fancy Bear, a group controlled by the GRU. This development follows a series of cyber incidents, including the disruption of German websites earlier in the year, which were linked to Russian activists reacting to Germany's military support to Ukraine.

The German government's investigation has concluded, identifying the specific vulnerability exploited in the attack. The incident has added strain to the already tense relations between Germany and Russia, with President Vladimir Putin declaring that diplomatic ties remain largely frozen due to Germany's stance on the war in Ukraine.

Baerbock warned of unspecified consequences in response to the cyber attack, labeling the aggression as "intolerable" and "completely unacceptable." The tension comes against the backdrop of broader cybersecurity concerns, as Germany's cybersecurity agency and researchers from Alphabet have reported targeting of several German political parties by APT29, another group with suspected Russian connections. The escalation in cyber espionage activities highlights the growing cybersecurity challenges faced by nations engaged in geopolitical conflicts.