Key facts
- The EU and UK jointly sanctioned Russian intelligence operatives and entities for cyber espionage and sabotage campaigns.
- A unit within Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the 16th Center, is accused of directing these activities.
- The cyber operations targeted governments, critical infrastructure, and strategic industries across at least nine EU countries and Ukraine.
- Sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes for individuals and entities.
- France summoned the Russian ambassador to protest the hacking campaigns.
The European Union and the United Kingdom have jointly imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and entities for cyber attacks targeting at least nine EU countries and Ukraine. The measures specifically target a unit within Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the 16th Center, which the EU states has been responsible for directing state-backed hacking group Turla's activities since as early as 2010. These operations allegedly involved spying on and hacking governments, critical infrastructure, and strategic industries, causing disruptions and financial losses.
According to the EU, the FSB orchestrated attacks using cybercriminals, private companies, and hacktivists. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that France would summon the Russian ambassador over these hacking campaigns. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes for listed individuals and entities.
Officials also allege the group hijacked third-party infrastructure, including capabilities linked to Iran, to conceal its operations. The FSB unit is also implicated in a sabotage operation targeting critical infrastructure in Poland, such as combined heating and power plants.