Estonian Security Police Uncover Russian Military Cyberattacks on Ukraine, NATO, and EU Since 2020

As a result of a joint international operation, the Estonian Security Police (KaPo) has established that a military unit under the command of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (MDGGS) has been carrying out cyberattacks against Ukraine, as well as NATO and EU countries, including Estonia, ERR reports.

‘We found the first evidence and suspects in the early stages of the investigation, which allowed us to prevent more damage and its spread in cooperation with other agencies,’ said Ago Ambur, head of the Cybercrime Bureau.

The State Prosecutor's Office applied to Harju County Court to issue arrest warrants for three suspects linked to the cyberattacks in Estonia. The court granted the request and issued arrest warrants in absentia.

According to State Prosecutor Vahur Verte, the three men are on the international wanted list based on the arrest warrants. 

‘Cyber operations, as well as sabotage, intelligence gathering or information operations, are an important component of hybrid warfare, according to the military doctrine of the Russian Federation. We also protect Estonian national security in cyberspace, and in addition to physical spies, we expose cyber spies,’ commented Margot Pallsson, Director General of the Security Police.

This Russian unit continued its subversive activities against state networks in Estonia and other countries. Thanks to the cooperation in cybersecurity between the Central Criminal Police, the KaPo and the State Information System RIA (CERT-EE), the attacks were detected and prevented, the Estonian security agencies added.

In November 2020, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were subjected to cyberattacks. The criminals gained access to servers, but not to state secrets.

Earlier, Estonia and nine other countries launched the Tallinn Mechanism to strengthen cyber support for Ukraine in the civilian sphere.