Germany summons Russian ambassador over alleged sabotage, cyberattacks and election interference

FILE -- Russian ambassador in Germany Sergey Nechayev, center, attends a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the end of World War II 77 years ago at the Soviet War Memorial at the district Treptow in Berlin, Germany, May 9, 2022. Photo by Markus Schreiber /APArticle contentBERLIN (AP) — Germany summoned Russia’s ambassador Friday following accusations of sabotage, cyberattacks and election interference, an official said.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe German government has also accused Moscow of perpetrating disinformation campaigns.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article content“The goal of these Russian cyber and disinformation attacks is clear: It is to divide society, stir up mistrust, provoke rejection, and weaken confidence in democratic institutions,” German foreign ministry spokesperson Martin Giese said.Article contentArticle content“This targeted manipulation of information is one of a wide range of activities by Russia aimed at undermining confidence in democratic institutions and processes in Germany,” he said during a government news conference.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentGerman officials have previously accused Russia of hybrid warfare attacks to destabilize Europe. Moscow didn’t immediately return a request for comment Friday.Article contentGiese said that the shadowy Russian military intelligence agency known as GRU was behind a 2024 cyberattack against German air traffic control. The foreign ministry says GRU, which has been sanctioned in other countries, was responsible for the attack that was allegedly perpetrated by hacker collective APT28, also known as Fancy Bear.Article contentAPT28 and GRU have also been linked to global cyber intrusions, including in the 2016 U.S. election, where they were accused of aiding U.S.

President Donald Trump by leaking Democratic Party emails.Article contentGiese also said investigators believe GRU also attempted to destabilize and influence Germany’s last federal election, held in February, through a campaign called “Storm 1516.”Article contentArticle content“Our services’ analysis shows that the campaign spreads artificially-generated, pseudo-investigative research, deepfake image sequences, pseudo-journalistic websites, and fabricated witness statements on various platforms,” he said.Article contentRussia will face a series of countermeasures for its hybrid warfare, Giese said.Article content“The German government condemns the repeated and unacceptable attacks by state-controlled Russian actors in the strongest possible terms,” he said. “We will continue to strengthen our support for Ukraine and our deterrence and defense.”Article contentThe summons occurred Friday as the European Union was expected to lock up Russia’s assets held in Europe until it gives up its war in Ukraine and compensates its neighbor for the heavy damage that it has inflicted for almost four years.Article contentThe move is an important step that would allow EU leaders to work out at a summit next week how to use the tens of billions of euros in Russian Central Bank assets to underwrite a huge loan to help Ukraine meet its financial and military needs over the next two years.Article contentTrending Couple's TFSAs, RRSPs and non-registered accounts are 90% equities. Should they be more conservative toward retirement?

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Personal Finance Canadian households boost their wealth to another record high of $18.4 trillion with ‘supercharged' financial asset growth Wealth CRA penalized taxpayer for repeated failure to report income Personal Finance 'Wild West out there': Cargo theft reports soar in Canada, but that's just the tip of the iceberg News This generation of Canadians is rapidly increasing its wealth and may soon unseat the boomers Wealth