Estonia condemns Russia's malicious cyber activities targeting UK

TALLINN - Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna said that Estonia condemns Russia's malicious cyberattacks targeting the United Kingdom's digital infrastructure.

In recent years, cyber and hybrid attacks attributed to Russian authorities have increased in countries that support Ukraine, primarily targeting organizations that assist Ukraine.

Tsahkna said that an analysis of Russia's actions reveals a clear pattern of aggression aimed at destabilizing and undermining trust among allied nations, in order to support Russia's war in Ukraine.

"Russia has not abandoned its imperialist ambitions and is trying to sow division among allies by exploiting the blurred boundaries of cyberspace and hybrid tactics," Tsahkna said. "Estonia strongly condemns Russia's malicious activities in the United Kingdom's and other allies' cyberspace."

These attacks are part of Russia's broader non-military campaign to destabilize Western societies. They also include sabotage, acts of violence, pressure through migration at borders, airspace violations, disinformation campaigns, and other subversive actions.

"In cooperation with our allies in NATO, the EU, and beyond, we are taking determined collective steps to counter Russia's hybrid operations more systematically and to respond decisively and asymmetrically," Tsahkna emphasized.

He added that it is essential to hold Russia accountable for all its violations of international law—Russia's crime of aggression against Ukraine, war crimes and crimes against humanity on Ukrainian territory, and subversive actions in countries supporting Ukraine, including in cyberspace.

"Cyberspace has clear rules, and every violation must face appropriate consequences," Tsahkna said.

Estonia supports Ukraine through military aid, development cooperation, and digital and cyber partnerships. It remains committed to helping build Ukraine's cyber resilience and defenses through international donor platforms like the Tallinn Mechanism and the IT Coalition.

 In September 2024, Estonia attributed the 2020 cyberattacks against the Estonian state to members of Unit 29155, operating under Russia's military intelligence (GRU). This marked the first time Estonia officially attributed state-sponsored cyberattacks to individual perpetrators.