France Accuses Russian Hacking Group of Attacks on Government and Industry
France’s cybersecurity agency has publicly accused a Russian-linked hacker group of targeting a range of French institutions, including government ministries and key private sector entities across finance and aerospace since 2021. The hacking activities were not limited to France — the group is also believed to have disrupted Ukraine’s infrastructure as part of broader pressure tactics.
According to a detailed report published by France’s national cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, at least a dozen French organizations were compromised or targeted. The threats extended to ministerial departments and large industrial players, marking a significant escalation in what officials are calling a “silent war” waged by Russia in cyberspace. (Full report available here.)
French Digital Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot commented on the development in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that France “observes, blocks and fights its adversaries.” He accompanied his message with a video detailing the ongoing cyber warfare France faces, attributing the instigations to Russia.
It’s highly unusual for the French government to directly name those behind cyberattacks, suggesting a shift in its posture toward attribution and public accountability in the digital realm.
This naming comes amid a broader toughening of rhetoric from French President Emmanuel Macron toward Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Macron has been vocal in recent weeks, urging progress on ceasefire talks and challenging Putin’s commitment to ending the war in Ukraine.
Last week, Macron emphatically urged Putin to “stop lying” about his claims of wanting peace, during a heated discussion with journalists. He also warned former U.S. President Donald Trump that Putin was merely “playing games” with the West at the end of a major international summit in Paris.
The public accusation signals France’s increasing willingness to confront global cyber threats more openly, especially as geopolitical tensions over Ukraine continue to escalate.
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