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Germany Accuses Russia of Cyberattack on Air Traffic Control and Election Interference
The German government has formally accused Russia of orchestrating a cyberattack on German air traffic control and conducting targeted disinformation campaigns aimed at disrupting Germany’s federal election. German officials stated that both incidents have been conclusively traced to Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU.
In a significant diplomatic escalation, the Russian ambassador to Berlin was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry to face these accusations directly.
“We have been observing a massive increase in threatening hybrid activities by Russia for some time now,” a spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry stated. These activities encompass a broad spectrum of hostile actions, including disinformation campaigns, espionage operations, cyberattacks, and attempted sabotage.
According to German officials, the primary objective of these operations is to sow discord within German society, erode public trust, and undermine confidence in democratic institutions. “With these actions, Russia is very concretely threatening our security, not only through its war of aggression against Ukraine, but also here in Germany,” the spokesperson emphasized.
The cyberattack targeting German air traffic control in August 2024 has been attributed to the notorious hacker collective “APT28,” also known as “Fancy Bear,” which security experts have long linked to the GRU. German intelligence has compiled what they describe as “absolutely irrefutable evidence” that Moscow attempted to manipulate both the most recent federal election and ongoing internal German affairs.
German authorities have also identified a specific Russian disinformation operation called “Storm 1516,” which has been active since 2024. Intelligence reports indicate this campaign is run by the Moscow-based “Center for Geopolitical Expertise,” a think tank allegedly supported by Russian military intelligence. The primary mission of this operation appears to be influencing democratic elections throughout Western nations.
The disinformation efforts reportedly targeted prominent German political figures, including Green Party lead candidate Robert Habech and CDU/CSU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz. Just two days before Germany’s snap election on February 23, 2025, German security agencies detected fake videos circulating that falsely claimed to show ballot manipulation—part of what officials identified as a Russian-backed disinformation effort.
German intelligence analysis revealed that the campaign deployed sophisticated techniques, including “artificially generated pseudo-investigative research, deepfake image sequences, pseudo-websites of journalists, and fabricated witness statements” across multiple platforms to create confusion and distrust in the electoral process.
During the diplomatic summons, German officials made it clear to the Russian ambassador that Germany is monitoring these activities “very closely” and is prepared to take countermeasures. Working in coordination with European partners, Germany is supporting new sanctions that include travel bans, asset freezes, and prohibitions on providing economic resources to responsible entities.
Beginning in January 2026, cross-border travel by Russian diplomats within the Schengen Area will be subject to enhanced monitoring. “The aim is to facilitate better information exchange and minimize intelligence risks,” the Foreign Ministry spokesperson explained, adding that additional bilateral restrictions on Russian diplomatic personnel are being planned, though specific details were not disclosed.
Looking ahead, Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior is developing a new platform for “interagency exchange and the coordination of measures to counter hybrid threats.” This initiative will create a comprehensive situational overview system and establish protocols for evaluating individual incidents.
Hybrid warfare, as employed by Russia according to German officials, combines military, economic, intelligence, and propaganda tactics to influence public opinion and undermine national security. State-sponsored cyberattacks are a critical component of this strategy, allowing for disruption of vital infrastructure without conventional military engagement.
These developments mark a significant deterioration in German-Russian relations and highlight the growing concern about cyber threats and information warfare across Europe.
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13 Comments
This is a very serious allegation against Russia. Germany must have strong evidence to make such a direct accusation. Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like air traffic control are extremely concerning and could have devastating consequences.
I agree, the German government is not making these claims lightly. If proven true, it would represent a significant escalation of hybrid warfare tactics used by Russia.
Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like air traffic control are extremely dangerous and must be taken very seriously. Germany is right to confront Russia directly over these allegations.
Agreed. The potential for disruption and harm from such attacks is high. Germany is wise to escalate this diplomatically and hold Russia accountable if the evidence supports the claims.
These are very serious allegations, and Germany is right to confront Russia directly. Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and election interference are unacceptable actions that must be met with a firm response.
If the German government’s claims about Russian cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns are accurate, it represents a troubling escalation of hybrid warfare tactics. The international community should closely monitor this situation.
I agree. The potential implications of these allegations, if true, could have far-reaching consequences. Continued transparency and a united response from Germany’s allies will be crucial.
I’m curious to see what additional evidence the German government will present to back up these accusations against Russia. Transparency will be important in building international support to address these threats.
Disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining public trust in democratic institutions are a real threat to all free societies. It’s important that Germany responds firmly to these alleged Russian actions.
Absolutely. Defending the integrity of the electoral process is crucial for preserving Germany’s democracy. The Russian government must be held accountable if these allegations are substantiated.
The alleged Russian disinformation campaign aimed at disrupting Germany’s federal election is deeply concerning. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of democracy, and foreign interference cannot be tolerated.
Absolutely. Germany must take strong measures to counter any attempts to undermine its democratic processes. The integrity of elections is paramount.
While I’m not surprised to hear of alleged Russian involvement in cyberattacks and disinformation, the specifics of these claims against Germany’s air traffic control and election processes are quite alarming. This situation bears close watching.