In a strong public statement, France has officially accused Russia of carrying out cyberattacks over the past ten years to steal information and create disorder in the country.
The French government says these attacks were done by APT28, also known as Fancy Bear, a group linked to Russia’s military intelligence.
Some of the most serious incidents include a fake Islamic State broadcast in 2015 and the leak of President Emmanuel Macron’s emails in 2017, just before France’s election. These tactics were similar to how the same group tried to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Since 2021, France says the attacks have become more frequent, targeting not only the government but also banks, defense companies, media outlets, and groups working on the 2024 Paris Olympics. To show its own strength in cybersecurity, France even revealed the location of one of the Russian hacking units behind the attacks.
This is the first time France has publicly said a foreign government was behind such cyberattacks. French President Emmanuel Macron said more pressure will be put on Russia soon, and that France and Poland will sign a new agreement to work together against Russian cyber threats and fake news campaigns.
As digital threats grow worldwide, France’s open warning sends a clear message: it is ready to stand up and defend against cyberattacks.
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