EU condemns Russia's cyber attacks and imposes sanctions | Ukraine news - #Mezha

Brussels exposed a web of state and nonstate cyber actors tied to recent intrusions, promising coordinated measures and targeted consequences.

According to online media Ukrinform .

The EU and its member states condemned Russia’s harmful cyber activity and the use of a cyber ecosystem that encompasses state and non-state actors – from intelligence services to cybercriminal groups, hacktivists, and private companies.

According to a statement by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, issued on behalf of all EU member states on the Council of the EU’s website, this position was released for broader discussion in Europe.

Today we expose the 16th Center of the Russian Federal Security Service, which oversees a range of groups that pose a cyber threat, including TURLA.

The statement also notes that for many years the FSB conducted a wide range of harmful cyber activity affecting the EU, its member states, and international partners, including Ukraine.

This activity included intrusions into government networks and sabotage of critical infrastructure. Among others, targets included France, Germany, Poland, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Romania, and Finland.

In France, the 16th Center of the FSB conducted cyber-espionage against strategic government institutions since 2010 and the defense industry since 2025, and in Germany espionage targeted government institutions.

Recently, in Poland, the 16th Center carried out destructive sabotage operations against critical infrastructure, including thermal power plants.

Cybercriminals, self-proclaimed hacktivists, and private companies tied to Russia, including entities acting on its orders, under its leadership or control, also carried out, enabled, and facilitated a broad range of malicious activity.

We strongly condemn Russia’s conduct and its abuse of this cyber ecosystem, aimed at government services and critical infrastructure, causing outages and financial losses.

In response to the malicious activity, the EU is also imposing restrictive measures against nine individuals and four organizations. These sanctions target GRU intelligence officers and cybercriminals, self-proclaimed hacktivists, and private companies that contribute to Russia’s efforts to destabilize the EU, its member states, and international partners.

Separately noted is the close coordination between the EU and the United Kingdom in joint assessments of the growing convergence between non-state and state actors.

We will continue to strengthen cooperation with international partners, including NATO, fully adhering to the agreed guiding principles, in support of a global, free, open, stable, and secure cyberspace.

The EU underscores its readiness to uphold accountability in cyberspace, imposing sanctions on those responsible for such activity, and continuing to strengthen international coordination.

The Euroregion also confirms the effectiveness of joint action with partners in response to cyber threats and calls for adherence to international law and norms of responsible behavior in the digital environment.

Governments and international partners continue joint efforts to enhance cybersecurity and the responsible use of the digital space, and the EU keeps an open roadmap of actions to strengthen stability and security in the region.

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