NATO condemns Russian cyberattacks, citing threats to alliance security

NATO has issued a strong condemnation of malicious cyber activities carried out by Russia, calling them a serious threat to the security of Allied nations.

In a statement released by the North Atlantic Council, the Alliance accused Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU) of orchestrating cyberattacks targeting several NATO members and Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports.

The statement cited recent attributions made by Estonia, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, all pointing to Russia’s GRU as being behind the cyber operations. It also recalled that in 2024, Germany and the Czech Republic had individually attributed cyber activity to APT 28, a hacking group reportedly sponsored by the GRU.

“The same threat actor has also targeted national governmental entities and critical infrastructure across the Alliance, including in Romania,” the Council noted, adding that these incidents underscore how cyberattacks have become key tools in Russia’s wider campaign to destabilize NATO and support its ongoing war in Ukraine.

NATO urged Russia to halt these “destabilising cyber and hybrid activities,” accusing Moscow of violating international norms.

“These activities demonstrate Russia’s disregard for the United Nations framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, which Russia claims to uphold,” the statement read.

The Alliance emphasised that such attacks would not undermine its support for Ukraine, including through cyber assistance provided via the Tallinn Mechanism and the IT Capability Coalition. It pledged to apply lessons learned from Ukraine in strengthening its cyber defences.

Reaffirming its commitment to a “free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace,” NATO called on all states — including Russia — to uphold international law and abide by established norms in cyberspace as recognized by the United Nations.

The Council also highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster NATO’s cyber resilience, including the creation of the NATO Integrated Cyber Defence Centre and commitments made under the Cyber Defence Pledge and the Hague Summit Declaration.

“We are determined to employ the full range of capabilities in order to deter, defend against, and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats,” the statement concluded. “We will respond to these at a time and in a manner of our choosing, in accordance with international law, and in coordination with our international partners, including the European Union.”

By Sabina Mammadli