Netherlands warns of threat of Russian hacker attacks against aid to Ukraine
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Russian hackers are threatening new attacks targeting Western aid to Ukraine, as Dutch authorities emphasize the importance of exposing Russian cyber sabotage, according to the Netherlands' Military Intelligence and Security Service.
The agency warns of active cyber operations conducted by Russian hackers. It notes that they belong to the Russian GRU's Unit 29155. The unit is reportedly focused on disrupting Western aid to Ukraine and tracking logistics routes for weapons supplies to the country.
According to the Netherlands' Military Intelligence and Security Service, Russian cyber operations are aimed at governments and critical infrastructure in Western countries.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans highlighted the importance of exposing the methods used by this unit so that governments and companies assisting Ukraine can defend themselves against such attacks.
"Together with our partners, we have decided to expose the working methods of this notorious Russian cyber unit. This way, everyone can see how they operate. This allows people to defend themselves against these sharp attacks and espionage. Not just governments, but also manufacturers and suppliers of military equipment for Ukraine," he said.
Vice Admiral Peter Reesink, director of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service, said that while the Netherlands has not yet experienced large-scale cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, the threat remains a reality that cannot be ignored. Since the Netherlands is a key transit country for aid supplies to Ukraine, Russian hackers may target its logistics sector.
"This creates a threat that we increasingly have to take into account," he added.
The Russian GRU's Unit 29155 is also known for its involvement in physical sabotage and attempted coups in Europe. Western intelligence agencies link it to the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in the UK in 2018, the attempted coup in Montenegro, and the assassination attempt on a Bulgarian arms dealer.
The Netherlands' Military Intelligence and Security Service emphasized that Russian hackers are trying to obtain information about Western military supplies to undermine their effectiveness. Such operations are part of Russia's broader campaign against support for Ukraine, which involves not only cyberattacks but also physical sabotage on Western territories.
The US has previously accused Russian hackers of cyberattacks against Ukraine and NATO countries ahead of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Recently, Russian cybercriminals attempted to hack the email of a former US ambassador to Ukraine.
