Russia’s FSB reports coordinated cyber operation targeting government officials

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has uncovered and documented a large-scale operation by foreign intelligence services involving the deployment of malware on mobile devices used by senior Russian officials.

According to the statement, the malicious software was used to extract data, intercept ongoing conversations, and enable covert audio and video surveillance of the surroundings near electronic devices in order to obtain sensitive information.

The FSB claims that, using the technical capabilities of major international IT corporations through mobile networks, unauthorised covert access to data was carried out from devices belonging to the targeted individuals.

A criminal case has been opened by the FSB Investigative Directorate under Articles 272 (unauthorised access to computer information) and 273 (creation, use and distribution of malicious software) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Investigative actions are ongoing. The FSB also warned that foreign intelligence services use modern information technologies, including mobile communications, in what it described as disruptive activities, and stressed that discussing confidential information via or near such devices is not safe.

By Jeyhun Aghazada