Russia's Offensive Strikes against Germany Already Underway
By Volker Petersen
These days, war isn't always fought with tanks and bombs. Take a peek at what's happening in Germany - a modern-day Cold War battle is underway, much of it hidden in the cyber realm. The Kremlin has upped the ante with espionage, sabotage, and cyberattacks, as revealed by recent investigations.
Last summer, a package explosion at Leipzig airport made headlines - it was destined for London via air freight. Fortunately, the fire engines arrived just in time to avert disaster. But was it pure coincidence? No way! The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office is busy investigating, and if reports are to be believed, the Russian military intelligence service GRU is the likely culprit. The Germans call it sabotage, and it's no isolated incident - similar events took place in Birmingham and Warsaw.
Economy and Politics: Russia's Preferred Targets
Economically speaking, Germany is under attack, with the Russians setting their sights on political hotspots and vital industries. The internet, with its vast networks and weak security, is the perfect playground for Russian hackers and cybercriminals on intelligence service assignments, eager to snag German data like prized gold.
"The situation is escalating," said Claudia Plattner from the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) at a recent press conference. Alongside her, Michael Fubi from TÜV Rheinland, presented a study on the cybersecurity of German companies. Attacks using ransomware are the biggest problem, according to Claudia, although she expressed greater concern over state actors engaged in espionage and sabotage. Apart from Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey are also heavily involved in these cyber assaults on Germany, as revealed by the domestic intelligence report.
The Political Spin: Propaganda and Manipulation
In the world of cyber warfare, it's not just about stealing data or launching destructive attacks. Disinformation and propaganda are also on the menu, with Russian actors taking a proactive approach to molding public opinion. Telegram, the popular messaging app, is a prime spot for spreading false narratives, and the "Voice of Europe" case is a perfect example.
Disguised as a reputable news portal, "The Voice of Europe" initially disseminated pro-Russian positions, especially focusing on the Ukraine conflict, from the Netherlands, later from Prague. Political leaders of right-wing parties across Europe were reportedly offered money from Russia, according to media reports. The case of Petr Bystrom, a former German Bundestag member and AfD party member running for the European Parliament, made headlines in Germany. He appeared frequently on "The Voice of Europe” and is said to have accepted money from Russia, an allegation he denies vehemently.
The European Parliament has removed Bystrom's immunity to allow investigations. This case serves as a stark reminder of the growing influence of cyber warfare in shaping political landscapes across the continent.
The Threat Landscape: An Explosive Mix of State Actors and Criminals
It's not just political parties and propaganda that are under threat - German companies, especially those in the defense industry, are frequently targeted by cybercriminals. Even seemingly harmless ransomware attacks could be part of a larger intelligence operation. The costs to the German economy are significant, as evidenced by a new study by TÜV Rheinland [2].
Investments in cybersecurity are crucial, the experts agree. They are far cheaper than the aftermath of a successful cyberattack. Small companies are urged to outsource their data to high-security cloud providers, while the federal government is called upon to adopt the EU directive "Network and Information Security" (NIS 2) to strengthen cyber defenses across Europe.
In the face of these threats, it's clear that Germany needs to beef up its defenses, not just to protect its economy, but also to safeguard its democratic institutions from foreign meddling.
- Federal Office for Information Security
- Cybersecurity
- Cybercrime
- State-Sponsored Hacking
- Disinformation
- The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has expressed concern over state actors, such as Russia and others, engaging in espionage and sabotage, making cybersecurity a critical issue for Germany.
- In addition to economic espionage and sabotage, Russian actors have been reportedly using disinformation and propaganda on platforms like Telegram to mold public opinion, such as the "Voice of Europe" case.
- The Commission, in light of the growing threat of cyberattacks, has adopted a communication on the future of the European Union, emphasizing the need for all member states, including Germany, to strengthen their cyber defenses to protect their democratic institutions and economies.
