Germany calls on Russia to end cyberattacks ahead of elections

Germany is calling on Russia to end cyberattacks against the country before its parliamentary elections.

“The German government has reliable information on the basis of which Ghostwriter activities can be attributed to cyber-actors of the Russian state and, specifically, Russia’s GRU military intelligence service,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Andrea Sasse said Monday, The Associated Press reported.

Germany “views this unacceptable activity as a danger to the security of the Federal Republic of Germany and for the process of democratic decision-making, and as a severe strain on bilateral relations,” she added.

The hacking campaign known as Ghostwriter has mainly targeted Lithuania, Latvia and Poland and has spread an anti-NATO agenda, according to DW.com.

The comments by Germany’s foreign minister come after Germany’s intelligence service said in July that federal and state lawmakers have been targets of phishing attempts since February. 

“These attacks could serve as preparations for influence operations such as disinformation campaigns connected with the parliamentary election,” Sasse said.

The parliamentary elections are set to take place Sept. 26 and show a tight race as Chancellor Angela Merkel is ending her time in office.

The head of the intelligence service said few of the phishing attacks have been successful, according to the AP.

Russia has continuously denied allegations that it has interfered with Germany’s elections, or any elections in other countries, The Washington Post reported.