EU slaps sanctions on 2 Russians over Germany cyberattack

European Union on Thursday imposed sanctions on two Russian officials and part of Russia’s GRU military intelligence ncy over a cyberattack against German parliament in 2015.

EU hequarters said in a statement that travel bans and asset freezes have been imposed on two men: Igor Kostyukov, he of Main Directorate of General Staff of Russian Armed Forces, and Dmitry Bin, a military intelligence officer.

EU said that Bin, who is also being sought by U.S. authorities, was part of a team that launched attacks on Bundestag.

“This cyber-attack targeted parliament’s information system and affected its operation for several days. A significant amount of data was stolen and email accounts of several MPs as well as of Chancellor Angela Merkel were affected,” it said.

part of intelligence ncy targeted is kwn as “military unit 26165,” or more commonly by monikers like APT28, Fancy Bear, Pawn Storm and Strontium. EU said it “is responsible for cyber-attacks with a significant effect constituting an external threat to Union or its Member States.”

same unit stands accused of trying to hack into Wi-Fi network of Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, based in Nerlands, in 2018.

sanctions were imposed under a set of measures designed to “prevent, discour, deter and respond to continuing and increasing malicious behavior in cyber.” EU citizens and organizations are banned from making funds available to those listed.

A total of eight people and four organizations w appear on list.

Russian officials have repeatedly denied any involvement by Moscow in hacking attack. y have similarly dismissed charges of Russian meddling in 2016 U.S. presidential election and alleged cyberattacks on or Western nations and institutions.

Diplomatic ties between Germany and Russia are alrey tense, following brazen killing of a Georgian man on streets of Berlin last year. Prosecutors have suggested hit was ordered eir by Moscow or authorities in Russian republic of Chechnya.

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