Germany has escalated its response to a purported cyberattack on Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party, recalling its ambassador to Russia for consultations in Berlin.

The move comes after allegations of Russian military involvement in cyber espionage targeting the Social Democrats, among other governmental and industrial entities. The German Foreign Office emphasized the gravity of these actions, signaling a firm stance against what it perceives as attacks on democratic institutions.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has indicated that the cyber operations, attributed to Russian military cyber units, exploited vulnerabilities in Microsoft Outlook to infiltrate the Social Democrats’ email systems.
This cyber campaign, identified as beginning in March 2022, has also targeted German defense and aerospace industries, with international efforts, including the FBI, intervening to dismantle a key network used by the attackers. These developments underscore the broader context of strained relations between Russia and Western nations, particularly in light of ongoing support for Ukraine amidst Russian aggression.
The situation has prompted discussions on the nature of hybrid warfare, with European leaders acknowledging the multifaceted threat posed by Russia to continental security.