In a sharp escalation of tensions, Germany on Thursday accused Russia of carrying out a major cyber-attack on its air traffic control systems in 2024 and attempting to interfere in its federal election earlier this year. Berlin has also summoned the Russian ambassador to formally protest the alleged actions.
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry said intelligence agencies had determined that Russian military intelligence (GRU) was responsible for a cyber-attack on German air traffic control in August 2024. The operation has been attributed to the notorious hacking group Fancy Bear, long believed to be linked to the GRU.
“Our intelligence findings prove that the Russian military intelligence service GRU bears responsibility for this attack,” the spokesperson said.
Election Interference Allegations
Germany has also accused Moscow of attempting to manipulate and destabilise its February 2024 federal election through a wide-ranging disinformation campaign known as Storm 1516. The campaign reportedly targeted key political figures, including:
- Robert Habeck, the lead candidate for the Green Party
- Friedrich Merz, the CDU’s lead candidate and now chancellor
Security agencies reportedly uncovered fabricated videos circulating online just days before the vote, falsely alleging ballot manipulation.
The Foreign Ministry said it was now “certain” that Russia sought to influence the election and interfere in Germany’s internal political processes.
Berlin Promises Response
The spokesperson stated that Germany, in coordination with its European partners, would take countermeasures intended to ensure that Russia “pays a price for its hybrid actions”.
There has been no immediate response from the Russian government.
Broader Concerns Across Europe
The accusations come amid growing unease across Europe about suspected Russian cyber-attacks and hybrid operations since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Fancy Bear has previously been linked to high-profile cyber incidents, including the 2016 hack of the US Democratic National Committee and the leak of World Anti-Doping Agency data.
Moscow has consistently denied involvement in sabotage or disinformation campaigns targeting European states.