WIREDGOV

The National Cyber Security Centre – a part of GCHQ – has welcomed EU cyber sanctions against Russia’s GRU following its cyber attack on Germany’s Parliament in 2015.

The sanctions are being brought against two Russian GRU officers and the GRU’s military intelligence unit 26165 – codenamed APT28 and Fancy Bear – who were responsible for the attacks.

The Foreign Secretary has confirmed the UK will enforce asset freezes and travel bans on those involved.

The NCSC, which supported the attribution of the attack to the GRU, welcomed the sanctions and the multinational and joint approach being taken with allies standing in solidarity against the attacks.

NCSC Director of Operations Paul Chichester said:

“We fully support these sanctions, which send a strong message that that there will be consequences for those who target us or our allies in cyberspace.

“We will continue to work closely with our allies to counter malicious cyber activity from the GRU and others who would seek to do us harm.”