Listen to the article
Germany has accused Russia of orchestrating a cyberattack against its air traffic control system and conducting disinformation campaigns aimed at disrupting the country’s February parliamentary elections, allegations that Moscow has firmly rejected as “absurd” and “baseless.”
At a regular press briefing on Friday, a German Foreign Ministry spokesman revealed that the country’s intelligence services had gathered conclusive evidence linking Russia’s military intelligence service, GRU, to both operations. “Based on comprehensive analysis by the German intelligence services, we have been able to clearly identify the handwriting behind it and prove Moscow’s responsibility,” the spokesman stated.
German officials specifically attributed the August 2024 cyberattack against German Air Safety to APT28, a hacker collective also known as Fancy Bear, which security experts have long associated with Russian intelligence operations. “Our intelligence findings prove that the Russian military intelligence service GRU bears responsibility for this attack,” the spokesman emphasized.
The accusations extend beyond cyber operations to include election interference. German authorities claim that Russia, through a campaign known as Storm 1516, deliberately sought to “influence and destabilize” February’s federal election. That contest saw Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives win while the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved its best-ever result, securing second place.
According to the Foreign Ministry, a GRU-supported Moscow think tank and affiliated groups disseminated artificially generated deepfake images and misleading content with the aim of dividing German society and undermining trust in democratic institutions.
The Russian Embassy in Berlin swiftly issued a statement to AFP categorically rejecting any involvement in these activities. “The accusations of Russian state structures’ involvement in these incidents and in the activities of hacker groups in general are baseless, unfounded and absurd,” the embassy declared.
German security sources revealed that the Storm 1516 campaign targeted prominent political figures, including Chancellor Merz, former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and former Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, both members of the Greens party. The campaign reportedly spread false claims about these officials and attempted to undermine electoral confidence.
AFP’s German Fact Check service identified and debunked several false claims circulated during the campaign, including allegations that the AfD had been intentionally excluded from ballots in Leipzig and that votes for the party in Hamburg were destroyed before being counted.
While the Foreign Ministry spokesman asserted that Germany possessed “absolutely solid proof” of Russian involvement, he declined to provide specific details, citing the sensitive nature of intelligence operations.
Sinan Selen, head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency BfV, highlighted the significance of these operations in a statement. “The ‘Storm-1516’ campaign shows in a very concrete way how our democratic order is being attacked,” Selen said, adding that “this disinformation ecosystem includes pro-Russian influencers with a wide reach, conspiracy theories and right-wing extremist circles.”
In response to these alleged hybrid attacks, Germany has pledged to implement countermeasures in coordination with European partners. These include supporting new individual sanctions against hybrid actors at the European level and enhancing monitoring of cross-border travel by Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area starting in January. “The aim is to facilitate better information exchange and minimize intelligence risks,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman explained.
The accusations come amid heightened vigilance across Europe regarding Russian espionage, drone surveillance, sabotage activities, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns. Germany, which has emerged as Ukraine’s second-largest aid provider since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, has previously accused Moscow of orchestrating drone flights near several European airports in recent months.
These developments mark a further deterioration in German-Russian relations as European nations continue to grapple with security challenges posed by hybrid warfare tactics in an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
19 Comments
These allegations of Russian election interference and infrastructure attacks are troubling. Strengthening cybersecurity defenses and promoting democratic transparency should be high on the global agenda.
Agreed. Protecting the integrity of elections and safeguarding essential services like air traffic control are vital national security imperatives in the digital age.
The allegations of Russian interference in German elections are concerning, but not surprising given past patterns of behavior. Protecting the integrity of democratic processes should be a top priority for all nations.
Absolutely. Disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks pose a real threat to free and fair elections. Robust cybersecurity measures and public awareness will be crucial going forward.
These allegations of Russian cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns are deeply troubling. Safeguarding aviation safety and the democratic process should be paramount concerns for all nations.
Completely agree. Robust cybersecurity measures and transparent information-sharing will be essential to counter these types of malicious state-sponsored activities.
If the evidence confirms Russia’s involvement, this would be a major escalation of their hybrid warfare tactics against the West. Maintaining the security of critical systems and democratic processes should be a top priority.
I agree, this is a worrying development. Protecting infrastructure and electoral integrity from foreign interference requires sustained, coordinated efforts by the international community.
The reported Russian cyber operations against German infrastructure and elections are a serious escalation. Strengthening international cooperation and resilience against such threats must be a top priority.
Absolutely. Protecting critical systems and democratic institutions from foreign interference is vital for global security and stability. A unified, principles-based response is needed.
The reported Russian cyberattack on German aviation safety systems is deeply concerning. Ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure against such threats should be a key focus for policymakers.
If true, this would represent a significant escalation of Russian aggression against Western democracies. Safeguarding critical infrastructure and electoral processes should be a top priority for all nations.
Absolutely. The international community must take a united stand against these types of malicious cyber activities, which threaten global security and stability.
The German government’s accusations raise serious concerns about the extent of Russian cyber-enabled threats. Robust international cooperation and decisive action will be needed to counter such malign activities.
Absolutely. State-sponsored cyberattacks and election meddling represent a grave challenge to global stability and the rule of law. A unified response is essential.
Allegations of Russian state-sponsored cyberattacks and election meddling are serious and deserve a thorough, impartial investigation. The German government must provide clear evidence to back up these claims.
I agree, the evidence needs to be carefully examined. Geopolitical tensions are high, and all parties should exercise caution and restraint until the facts are established.
This is an alarming development. If the German government’s claims are accurate, it’s a serious breach of international norms and a threat to democratic processes. I hope the international community responds firmly to deter further cyberattacks and election interference.
Agreed. Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like aviation safety systems are extremely concerning. Russia needs to be held accountable if the evidence confirms their involvement.