Dutch Intelligence Reports Russian Cyberattacks

Russian hackers attacked a Dutch public facility last year in the first known Russian cyberattack on the Netherlands, the Dutch Military Intelligence (mivd) reported on Tuesday. The report records an overall increase in Russian hybrid attacks on Europe.

Russian hackers targeted the digital control system of an undisclosed Dutch public facility in 2024, but the attack was unsuccessful and did not cause any damage.

The mivd said Russia views the Netherlands as an “interesting target country” because of its support for Ukraine.

Other attempts: The report also says Russia attempted to disrupt the 2024 European elections. It hacked websites of Dutch political parties and public transport companies, trying to make it difficult for Dutch citizens to vote.

The mivd does not see the Russian threat against Europe decreasing but increasing. Even after a possible end to the war with Ukraine. There are turbulent developments in international politics and in the alliance field. … The speed with which this is happening and the potential effect on our security is unprecedented.
—Peter Reesink, mivd director

There was also another unsuccessful Russian cyberattack on critical infrastructure in the Netherlands.

We live in a gray zone between war and peace. To prevent vulnerabilities in the face of Russia, a swift scaling up of our armed forces and defense industry is essential. Only then can we prevent further Russian aggression in Europe.
—Ruben Brekelmans, defense minister of the Netherlands

Europe fears Russia: Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has warned that Russia’s war on Ukraine, as well as its other aggressive actions, is causing a lot of anxiety in Europe. Europe fears Russia, and that fear will push it to become a militarized power bloc, as prophesied in the Bible.

Learn more: Read Mr. Flurry’s article “Russia’s War on Ukraine Is Reshaping Europe.”