France Issues Strong Rebuke of GRU‘s APT28 Cyber Operations

France has issued a strong condemnation of the Russian military intelligence service (GRU) for its deployment of the APT28 hacking group in a series of cyberattacks targeting French interests. The attacks, which have been ongoing since 2021, have compromised a range of critical infrastructure and organizations, raising serious concerns about national security and the integrity of upcoming events.

APT28: A Persistent Threat to French and European Security

The GRU’s APT28 group has been identified as the perpetrator behind numerous cyber intrusions targeting a diverse array of French entities. These include vital public services, private sector companies, and even organizations directly involved in the planning and execution of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This pattern of attacks demonstrates a clear intent to disrupt and destabilize French society.

Beyond the recent focus on the Olympics, APT28’s history of malicious activity in France is well-documented. The group was previously implicated in the 2015 sabotage of TV5MONDE, a major French television network, and in attempts to interfere with the 2017 French presidential election. These incidents highlight the group’s long-standing commitment to undermining French institutions and democratic processes.

These destabilizing activities are unacceptable and unworthy of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. They are also contrary to the United Nations standards in matters of behavior responsible for states in cyberspace, to which Russia has subscribed.

The threat posed by APT28 extends beyond France’s borders. The group has been actively engaged in targeting Ukrainian infrastructure amidst the ongoing conflict, especially through the GRU’s 20728 unit.Furthermore, numerous European partners have also fallen victim to APT28’s malicious campaigns in recent years. In response, the european Union has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for these attacks, demonstrating a united front against Russian cyber aggression.

france Vows to Counter Russian Cyber Aggression

France has affirmed its unwavering commitment to defending against Russian cyber threats. The nation, in collaboration with its allies, is determined to employ all available resources to anticipate, deter, and respond to Russia’s malicious activities in cyberspace. This includes strengthening national cybersecurity defenses, enhancing intelligence gathering capabilities, and working with international partners to impose costs on those who engage in cyber aggression.

According to recent reports, cyberattacks have increased by 38% globally in the past year, with state-sponsored actors like APT28 posing a important threat to critical infrastructure and democratic institutions. This underscores the urgent need for proactive cybersecurity measures and international cooperation to combat cybercrime.

ANSSI Issues Alert on APT28 Threat

In a proactive measure to mitigate future attacks, the National Details Systems Security Agency (ANSSI) has released an advisory report detailing the specific threats associated with APT28. This report aims to provide organizations with the information and tools necessary to defend against the group’s tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).

The alerting report on the threat linked to Apt28 is available hear: https://www.cert.ssi.gouv.fr/cti/certfr-2025-cti-006