UK Alleges Russia's 'Sustained' Cyberattack on Politicians and Journalists
The UK has charged Russia with conducting a prolonged cyber onslaught against its politicians and media figures. Hackers targeted prominent individuals, the public sector, and non-governmental organizations, according to the British government.
The Foreign Office claims the Russian FSB security service breached the private conversations of notable UK individuals and has made continuous but unsuccessful efforts to disrupt UK political activities.
Leo Docherty of the Foreign Office informed parliament that various individuals, including MPs and journalists, were attacked to influence UK politics, but ultimately without success. The government alleges that sensitive information was selectively leaked to meddle in domestic affairs.
Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, accused the FSB of outsourcing their cyberattacks to groups such as "Star Blizzard," whose two members were recently sanctioned.
The Foreign Office detailed that MPs and others were victims of spear-phishing, a tactic used to obtain confidential data through deceptive emails. When questioned, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not confirm if he was a target, while former Prime Minister David Cameron asserted that despite the attempts, the meddling had been thwarted.
In response to these actions, the UK has sanctioned those implicated and summoned the Russian Ambassador to highlight Russia's disruptive tactics on the international stage. Russia has yet to issue a statement regarding these accusations.
Leo Docherty of the Foreign Office informed parliament that various individuals, including MPs and journalists, were attacked to influence UK politics, but ultimately without success. The government alleges that sensitive information was selectively leaked to meddle in domestic affairs.
Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, accused the FSB of outsourcing their cyberattacks to groups such as "Star Blizzard," whose two members were recently sanctioned.
The Foreign Office detailed that MPs and others were victims of spear-phishing, a tactic used to obtain confidential data through deceptive emails. When questioned, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not confirm if he was a target, while former Prime Minister David Cameron asserted that despite the attempts, the meddling had been thwarted.
In response to these actions, the UK has sanctioned those implicated and summoned the Russian Ambassador to highlight Russia's disruptive tactics on the international stage. Russia has yet to issue a statement regarding these accusations.