EU imposes sanctions on Russian military intelligence officers, hackers and private companies

The European Union (EU) today imposed sanctions on Russian military intelligence officers, hackers and private companies over a years-long cyber espionage campaign.

Nine individuals and four entities accused of links to an online spy network that the EU holds responsible for sabotaging critical infrastructure such as heating plants and power plants since 2010 have been added to the EU sanctions list.

The EU has targeted the 16th center of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

It was reported that the FSB "controls various cyber threat groups" and has "carried out a wide range of increasingly serious malicious cyber activities."

The European Council said in a statement that these actions "contributed to Russia's efforts to destabilize the EU, its member states and international partners."

Targeted espionage and attacks have occurred in at least nine countries.

The names of individuals and entities, which typically include companies, government agencies, banks, or other organizations, are not listed.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that France intends to summon the Russian ambassador in the coming days to provide an explanation.

He told French television station BFM that the aim of the cyber activity was "to gather information or sabotage work."

Baro cited the sabotage of railway infrastructure as an example, adding that this was the case in Poland.

Some countries have accused Russia of using cyberattacks and propaganda to interfere in elections.

In April, Sweden said a pro-Russian group with ties to Russian security and intelligence services was behind a cyberattack on a heating plant last year.

The announcement followed warnings from officials in Poland, Norway, Denmark and Latvia that Russia was attacking critical infrastructure across Europe.