European Officials Say Russian Spies Intensify Efforts to Steal Western Technology
Summary
European intelligence officials say Russia is intensifying efforts to obtain Western technology through front companies, intermediaries and cyber operations, including attacks on firms and critical infrastructure.
Key points
- Officials say Russian agents are using fake companies, middlemen, cyber spies and hackers to obtain Western technology and defense secrets.
- Swedish officials say Russia is targeting defense research and dual-use technology, including camera and laser technology that could be incorporated into weapons.
- Finnish officials say Russia seeks space, quantum, Arctic and marine technology, as well as sanctioned computer technology and machine-tool software.
- Sweden’s security service chief said Russia-linked actors tried to destroy a Swedish power plant, but the intrusion was detected; he said the activity was partly intended to undermine Western support for Ukraine.
- Officials say Russian cyberattacks against European firms and critical infrastructure can gather information for possible future exploitation.
- A Swedish official said Russian actors appear less concerned about attribution and are taking greater risks to achieve their goals.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Russian state-linked cyber espionage and attempted sabotage targeting European organizations and critical infrastructure, according to European intelligence officials.
- Impact
- Officials said Russia-linked actors are seeking Western technology and defense secrets and conducting cyberattacks to gather information that could be exploited later. A reported attempt to destroy a Swedish power plant failed after its system detected the intrusion. Officials also described efforts to acquire technology and software for Russia’s war supply chain.
People
Anne Keast-ButlerDirector of the U.K.’s signals intelligence agency; accused Russia of targeting the U.K. and European allies through technology theft, sabotage plotting, and assassination attempts.Christoffer WedelinDeputy head of operations at the Swedish Security Service; described Russian efforts to acquire Western technology and said Russia-linked actors attempted to destroy a Swedish power plant.Juha MarteliusDirector of Finland’s Security and Intelligence Service; described Russia’s technology acquisition priorities and discussed the country’s need for sanctioned computer technology and software.Kaupo RosinHead of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service; discussed intelligence assessments of Russia’s economic outlook and internal concerns.
Products
Countries
FinlandMoscow is also trying to steal technology to help it keep pace — or give it an edge — against the West in the decades ahead, said Juha Martelius, the director of Finland’s Security and Intelligence Service.RussiaRussia’s intelligence agencies have grown more aggressive in their efforts to steal Western technology and defense secrets as sanctions squeeze the country’s wartime economy, three senior European intelligence officialsSwedenIn Sweden, Russia is targeting the defense industry and high-end research on the country’s most advanced weaponry, such as the Gripen fighter jet, Wedelin said.UkraineMoscow’s ability to procure machinery, technology and research from Europe, while the grinding war in Ukraine has taxed key industries and pushed the country toward a potential financial crisis.