Berlin has formally accused the Russian government of orchestrating a significant cyber-attack on German infrastructure in 2024 and attempting to interfere in the country’s democratic processes, further escalating tensions between the two nations. German authorities say the actions, attributed to Russian military intelligence and affiliated hacking groups, targeted critical air traffic control systems and sought to influence the outcome of the February federal election.
In a statement issued on Friday, the German Foreign Ministry confirmed that intelligence assessments have linked a cyber-attack on Germany’s air traffic control service in August 2024 to the Russian military intelligence service, known as the GRU, and its associated hacker collective APT28, also called Fancy Bear. Officials also allege that a separate influence campaign, dubbed “Storm 1516,” was designed to destabilize Germany’s political environment by spreading disinformation and undermining public confidence in democratic institutions.
As part of its response, the German government summoned Russia’s ambassador in Berlin to protest the alleged cyber and information operations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese described the actions as part of a broader pattern of “hybrid warfare” intended to divide German society and erode trust in the electoral process. German officials have warned that Moscow will face a series of countermeasures in coordination with European allies to deter future attacks.
The accusations include the use of sophisticated tactics such as deepfake videos, fake witness accounts and pseudo-journalistic websites designed to amplify false narratives during the election cycle. German authorities say these methods were intended to sway public opinion, although no direct evidence has been publicly released. Russia has consistently denied similar allegations in the past.
The move comes at a time of heightened geopolitical strain, with Germany playing a leading role in European support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. Berlin’s announcement underscores growing concerns among European Union members about the threat posed by state-linked cyber operations aimed at critical infrastructure and democratic processes.
German officials have not ruled out the implementation of additional sanctions or diplomatic measures. The government’s actions reflect a broader effort within the EU to coordinate responses to what member states describe as persistent and evolving hybrid threats from Russia.
This latest dispute adds to a series of cyber-security confrontations between Western states and Moscow, highlighting the increasingly contentious role of cyber operations in international relations.
