New York, April 30, 2025 – At a United Nations Security Council meeting, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused Russia of orchestrating cyberattacks against multiple French entities, including those linked to the upcoming Paris Olympic Games and Paralympics. Barrot condemned these actions as unworthy of a permanent Security Council member and called for an immediate cessation of such activities.
Barrot identified the Kremlin-linked group APT28, also known as Fancy Bear, as responsible for the attacks. This group has been linked to numerous cyber incidents across Europe and the United States, with a focus on French networks since at least 2021, particularly targeting the defense, financial, and economic sectors.
According to France’s national cybersecurity agency ANSSI, APT28 employs various tactics such as phishing, brute-force attacks, and exploiting software vulnerabilities to infiltrate systems and steal data. The group has been active since 2004 and is believed to operate from Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
The French foreign ministry highlighted a significant rise in cyberattacks, reporting approximately 4,000 incidents linked to Russia in 2024, marking a 15 percent increase compared to the previous year. Notably, APT28 was implicated in the 2017 hack of President Macron’s campaign, which aimed to influence public opinion during the election.
As France prepares for future elections, including the presidential election in 2027, officials remain vigilant against potential Russian interference through cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. The foreign ministry indicated that Ukraine has also been a key target for APT28 since Russia’s invasion in 2022, with the group exerting continuous pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure.
In response to the accusations, Russia’s ambassador to the UN did not comment during the session, and the Russian embassy in Paris declined to provide a statement. France is expected to strengthen its defense and cybersecurity cooperation with Poland through a friendship treaty scheduled for May 9, coinciding with Russia’s annual Victory Day celebrations.
France remains committed to using all available means to counteract Russia’s malicious cyber activities and to safeguard its national interests in cyberspace.
