Germany summons Russian ambassador over increase in hybrid attacks

Germany has summoned Russia's ambassador over what it said was a huge increase in threatening hybrid activities including disinformation campaigns, espionage, cyberattacks and attempted sabotage, a German foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

BERLIN — Germany has summoned Russia's ambassador over what it said was a huge increase in threatening hybrid activities including disinformation campaigns, espionage, cyberattacks and attempted sabotage, a German foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

"This morning we therefore summoned the Russian ambassador to the foreign office and made it clear that we are monitoring Russia's actions very closely and will take action against them," spokesperson Martin Giese said during a regular news conference.

The accusations come at a time of heightened concerns in Europe over suspected Russian hackers and spies since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Russian embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. The Kremlin has previously said European allegations of a Russian sabotage or hybrid campaign are wholly unsubstantiated.

A cyberattack against German air traffic control in August 2024 has now been attributed to the GRU-backed Russian hacker collective APT-28, also known as Fancy Bear, the spokesperson said.