Russian hackers targeted a Dutch public facility last year in what is believed to be the first such attack on the country's infrastructure, the Netherlands’ military intelligence service said on Monday.
The Netherlands remains an "interesting target country" for Moscow due to its continued support for Ukraine, the presence of Hague-based international organisations, its high-tech industries, and key harbours like Rotterdam, the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) stated in its annual report.
Last year, the MIVD "observed a Russian hacker group carrying out a cyberattack on the digital control system of a public facility in the Netherlands," the agency's director noted in the 52-page report.
"As far as is known, this is the first time such a sabotage attack has been carried out against a digital control system in the Netherlands," said Vice-Admiral Peter Reesink.
The MIVD did not specify the public facility in question, but added that "ultimately, the attack caused no damage."
The agency also warned that various Russian units are actively mapping North Sea infrastructure and conducting underwater operations that "suggest espionage and preparatory actions for disruption and sabotage."
"Think, for example, of internet cables, drinking water infrastructure, and energy supplies," Reesink said.
As early as 2018 — nearly four years before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine — then-Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld warned that the Netherlands was engaged in a "cyber war" with Moscow.
Her comments followed an alleged hacking attempt near the headquarters of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague. As a result, four GRU military intelligence officers were expelled from the Netherlands.
At the time, Russia dismissed the accusations as "disinformation" and described global cyberattack allegations as "spy mania."
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Netherlands has provided F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv, along with a Patriot missile air defence system.
Last week, Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced that €150 million (approximately $172 million) had been allocated for air defence systems for Ukraine.
With AFP
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