France Points to Russian Spies: Cyberattacks Aimed to Destabilize the Country

For the first time, France is directly accusing Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, of orchestrating a series of coordinated and long-running cyberattacks targeting French institutions and democratic processes. According to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is part of a strategic campaign to undermine national stability.

Targeted Attacks Since 2021

French authorities state that the cyberattacks have spanned years, impacting critical areas of society. Ministries, defense contractors, think tanks, and even financial institutions have been compromised. In an official statement released Tuesday, the ministry outlined the ongoing nature of the threat:

“Since 2021, this attack method has been used to target or compromise a dozen French entities,” the ministry said.

The threat is no longer theoretical. France’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) reports that roughly 4,000 cyberattacks in 2024 alone are attributed to Russian actors.

Traces Back to Presidential Election

One of the most high-profile incidents took place during the 2017 French presidential campaign. Just two days before the election, Emmanuel Macron’s campaign was hit by a major cyberattack, resulting in leaked internal documents. At the time, Macron’s team suggested Russian involvement—a claim now reinforced by French intelligence.

The latest accusations name GRU unit APT28, also known as Fancy Bear, which has been previously linked to cyberattacks in multiple Western countries. In Germany, the group was accused last year of launching a “completely unacceptable” attack on members of the SPD political party, according to German officials.

A Digital Battleground

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned in a post on social media platform X that cyberattacks from Russian state-backed actors have been ongoing for years. He called them a threat to both national security and the integrity of democracy.

APT28’s objective, according to ANSSI, has been to gather strategic intelligence from entities across Europe and North America. The digital front has become a key arena in the escalating geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West.

A New Chapter in Cybersecurity

France’s public statement marks a significant shift in its approach to digital threats. By explicitly naming the GRU and its specific unit, the country is drawing a clear line—and sending a message to both allies and adversaries: State-sponsored cybercrime will not go unanswered.

How the situation unfolds will largely depend on the international response—and on how effectively France and its partners can defend themselves in an increasingly volatile cyber landscape.

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