A previously unknown Russian hacker group is behind last year's attacks on the networks of the Dutch police, NATO and several European countries, Reuters reported, citing Dutch intelligence services, BTA writes.
The group, named by security services "Laundry Bear" (Laundry Bear) was most likely supported by the Russian state, the Netherlands Intelligence and Security Service and the Netherlands Military Service said in a joint letter to parliament.
"The cyberattacks against Dutch institutions are part of a larger international cyberthreat by the hacking group," said a statement describing the results of the investigation.
The group operated without attracting much attention until it was exposed in a hacking attack in September 2024, in which it successfully gained access to confidential data of Dutch police officers and officials, the statement said.
"Laundry Bear" It also carried out cyber espionage against companies producing high-tech products to which Russia has limited access due to Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine, the text further specifies.
"The investigation also reveals that the group is responsible for cyber operations against a number of Western governments and other institutions, carried out at least since 2024", the statement said.
The Dutch intelligence services emphasize that the group also tried to obtain information related to "orders and production of military equipment by Western governments and arms supplies from the West to Ukraine".