Dutch intelligence uncovers pro-Russian hackers stealing weapon data for Ukraine
Illustrative photo: The Netherlands exposed a hacker group from Russia (Getty Images)
A pro-Kremlin hacker group was involved in collecting data on the production and procurement of military equipment by Western countries, particularly for future supplies to Ukraine, Reuters reports.
The Dutch intelligence service has discovered that hackers from the Laundry Bear Russian group conducted cyber espionage against government and commercial institutions in the Netherlands, as well as other NATO and EU member countries.
A joint report by the General Intelligence and Security Service of the Netherlands (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) states that the attacks went unnoticed until September 2024, when the hackers stole confidential data of Dutch police employees.
Initially, it was reported that names, official email addresses, and phone numbers of nearly all 65,000 employees were leaked. Later, it became known that in some cases, the attackers also obtained personal data.
The investigation revealed that the Laundry Bear group collected information about the production and procurement of military equipment in Western countries, particularly with the aim of further supplying Ukraine. Additionally, the hackers tried to obtain information on high-tech products to which Russia has limited access due to sanctions.
Recently, we reported that Russian hackers attempted to disrupt aid to Ukraine by attacking the logistics of NATO countries. Hackers also tried to hack cameras on Ukraine’s border.
