Germany Accuses Russia of 2024 Cyber-Attack and Disinformation Campaign

German officials have taken a strong stance against Russia, accusing Moscow of conducting a significant cyber-attack against the country’s air traffic control system and attempting to interfere in federal elections, in what appears to be an escalation of tensions between the two nations.

Germany’s foreign ministry announced Wednesday that it has summoned the Russian ambassador following the discovery of evidence linking Russian military intelligence to a sophisticated cyber-attack that targeted German air traffic control infrastructure in August 2024. Officials did not disclose specific details about the attack’s impact on aviation operations or safety, but the targeting of critical transportation infrastructure represents a serious security breach.

In addition to the cyber-attack allegations, the ministry spokesperson explicitly accused Russia of attempting to influence and destabilize Germany’s federal election held in February this year. This marks one of the most direct public accusations of election interference that Berlin has leveled against Moscow in recent years.

“Germany, in close co-ordination with its European partners, would respond with counter-measures to make Russia pay a price for its hybrid actions,” the foreign ministry spokesperson stated, signaling that the response would be coordinated at the European level rather than unilaterally.

These accusations come amid growing concerns across Europe about Russia’s cyber capabilities and its alleged willingness to deploy them against Western democracies and critical infrastructure. Security experts have long warned that Russia’s military intelligence service, commonly known as the GRU, has developed sophisticated cyber tools designed to disrupt enemy systems during both peacetime and conflict.

The targeting of air traffic control systems is particularly alarming to security analysts, as such systems are considered critical national infrastructure. A successful attack could potentially endanger civilian flights and disrupt international air travel across the European continent, which handles thousands of flights daily.

This incident follows a pattern of deteriorating relations between Germany and Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Germany, once dependent on Russian energy imports, has drastically reduced its economic ties with Moscow and has become one of Ukraine’s largest European military supporters.

Cybersecurity firms tracking Russian activities have noted an increase in attacks against European targets in recent years, with particular focus on energy, transportation and government sectors. These attacks often blend traditional hacking techniques with information operations designed to influence public opinion or undermine trust in institutions.

The election interference allegations are especially sensitive in Germany, which has previously experienced disinformation campaigns allegedly linked to Russian actors. German intelligence agencies had warned before the February elections about potential foreign interference attempts, and now appear to have gathered sufficient evidence to make public accusations.

European officials have expressed solidarity with Germany, with several countries reportedly sharing intelligence that corroborates Berlin’s claims. The European Union has developed a joint cyber-defense framework specifically designed to counter such threats, though details of potential countermeasures remain classified.

Russia has typically denied similar allegations in the past, often dismissing them as unfounded or politically motivated. The Kremlin has consistently rejected accusations of election interference across Western democracies, despite mounting evidence compiled by intelligence agencies and cybersecurity researchers.

The summoning of the Russian ambassador represents a significant diplomatic step, indicating Germany’s determination to address these issues at the highest levels while signaling to Moscow that such activities will face consequences. What form these consequences might take remains unclear, though they could include diplomatic expulsions, additional sanctions, or enhanced cyber countermeasures.

Security experts note that attribution of cyber-attacks is complex and typically requires extensive technical evidence and intelligence operations, suggesting German authorities likely have substantial proof to make such direct accusations against Russian state actors.