EU sanctions Russian cyber spies for years-long hacking

Key Points:

• The European Union has blacklisted members of a Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) unit responsible for directing the state-backed hacking group Turla, which has targeted governments, critical infrastructure, and industries across the EU and Ukraine since 2010.
• The FSB orchestrated cyberattacks involving cybercriminals, private companies, and hacktivists, causing disruptions and financial losses, including sabotage operations against critical infrastructure in Poland.
• France plans to summon the Russian ambassador over these hacking campaigns, with accusations that Turla compromised French Defense Ministry email systems, breached the French embassy in Moscow, and stole industrial secrets.
• The EU's sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes on individuals and entities, as well as restrictions on Russian technology companies like Advanced System Technology (AST) and NPP Gamma, barring them from doing business in the EU.
• The United Kingdom also announced sanctions against 24 individuals and entities linked to Russian intelligence services in coordination with the EU's actions.