Russia Escalates Hybrid Attacks On Netherlands: MIVD Report

Russia Escalates Hybrid Attacks on Netherlands: MIVD Report

Russia is stepping up its efforts to disrupt society in the Netherlands and across Europe using a mix of cyber attacks, disinformation, and spying, according to the Dutch military intelligence agency (MIVD).

On Tuesday, MIVD director Peter Reesink said in the agency’s annual report that the threat from Russia is growing — and could continue even after the war in Ukraine ends.

“We’re seeing more attacks in the grey zone between peace and war. Countries like Russia are using new ways to try to weaken our society, and they’re taking more risks,” Reesink said.

For the first time, the MIVD said it caught Russian hackers attacking the digital systems of a Dutch public service last year. They also discovered a Russian cyber operation targeting critical Dutch infrastructure, which may have been a test or preparation for sabotage.

These so-called “hybrid threats” can include physical damage to things like internet cables or power supplies, as well as spreading fake news and hacking.

The MIVD said these attacks are a mix of old-school spying and modern cyber warfare. They’ve also warned before that Russia is mapping important systems in the North Sea — like underwater cables and energy lines — possibly to sabotage them.

Back in November, the head of Britain’s foreign spy agency also accused Russia of running a “staggeringly reckless campaign” across Europe, involving cyber attacks and even arson. Russia, however, has denied all such claims and says there’s no proof.

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