According to Jeremy Hunt, Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) agents were meant to carry out a series of cyberattacks whose targets were political and financial institutions as well as international organizations. In a special report, one can read that these cyberattacks had afflicted millions and led to enormous financial losses.
Among organizations targeted by Russia were, for example, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which had been struck in September last year. Other cybercrimes committed by GRU agents include the US Democratic Party during the 2016 presidential elections, the Ukrainian airport in Odessa in October 2017, the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure and Ukrainian media outlets.
Our message is clear. Along with our allies we will uncover and respond to the GRU’s attempts to undermine international stability
Jeremy Hunt vowed to respond to the GRU attacks: “Our message is clear. Along with our allies we will uncover and respond to the GRU’s attempts to undermine international stability.”
He also claimed that the British National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has hard proof that Kremlin agents are behind these attacks. Hunt gave examples of known hacker organizations such as APT 28, Fancy Bear, Sofacy or Pawnstorm.
Some of these organizations are also held responsible for cyberattacks in Poland and the Baltic States.
