The European Union and the United Kingdom have announced coordinated sanctions against Russia over a series of alleged cyber attacks across Europe, accusing Moscow’s Federal Security Service (FSB) of orchestrating digital operations aimed at destabilising the region.
The joint action, unveiled on Monday, comes as Western governments warn that Russia has intensified its so-called “hybrid” campaign against European nations more than four years after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
Under the new measures, the European Union imposed sanctions on nine individuals and four organisations, while the UK added 24 people and entities to its sanctions list.
According to the British government, the package marks the first coordinated cyber sanctions initiative between London and Brussels since the UK’s departure from the EU in 2020.
The sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans targeting officers of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, as well as individuals described as cybercriminals allegedly working in collaboration with the Russian state.
The EU and the UK also linked Russia’s FSB Centre 16 intelligence unit to a recent attempted cyber attack on critical infrastructure in Poland, including the country’s electricity network.
British authorities said the attack was unsuccessful but warned it could have left up to 500,000 people without electricity during winter.
“It is another example of the Russian state’s irresponsible attempts to sow chaos across Europe,” the UK Foreign Office said.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also condemned the cyber campaign, announcing that Russia’s ambassador would be summoned in the coming days.
Barrot said the attacks targeted government ministries, businesses and essential service providers with the aim of stealing sensitive information or disrupting operations, citing attempted sabotage of Poland’s rail infrastructure as an example.
France’s foreign ministry added that one of the sanctioned groups had claimed responsibility for efforts to destabilise the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The European Union said several member states—including France, Germany, Poland, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Romania and Finland—have been targeted in a years-long cyber campaign.
Western intelligence agencies have previously accused the FSB’s Centre 16 of deploying sophisticated malware to infiltrate networks and conduct espionage operations around the world.
The latest sanctions underscore continued efforts by the EU and the UK to increase pressure on Moscow over its actions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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