“Lithuania supports the joint European declaration that for the first time not only condemns the cyberattack launched against Ukraine on the first day of war in the strongest terms but also attributes to the Russian Federation the responsibility for it,” said Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius on May 10 after the Joint EU Declaration and the American, British allies’ and other partners’ statements were announced.
Russia launched the cyberattack against the KA-SAT satellite broadband service network of Viasat satellite communications provider one hour before the military invasion of Ukraine on February 24. The largescale cyberattack interrupted communications services in several governmental institutions and enterprises and had effects on services across several European Union member states as well.
“This reckless cyberattack was obviously a prelude to the larger scope military actions that Russia then began against Ukraine, and an attempt to paralyze the communication among Ukrainian institutions during the first hours of the aggression,”
M. Abukevičius
The Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union calls the February 24 cyberattack yet another precedent of Russia’s sustained irresponsible behavior in cyberspace that goes against every principle endorsed by all the member states of the United Stations.
“This reckless cyberattack was obviously a prelude to the larger scope military actions that Russia then began against Ukraine, and an attempt to paralyze the communication among Ukrainian institutions during the first hours of the aggression,” said M. Abukevičius.
According to Vice Minister, the European Union and Allies are considering an additional response to and prevention of such malicious Russian activities in cyberspace. “Meanwhile, Lithuania and other nations are strongly committed to further rendering every kind of support to Ukraine, including in cyberspace,” noted M. Abukevičius.
The European Union aims to protect against and respond to cyber threats posed by the third states by means of collective diplomatic response called the EU Cyber Diplomatic Toolbox. It encompasses diplomatic cooperation and dialogue, as well as cyberattack preventive measures and sanctions.
The EU and member states issue joint statements on malicious cyber activities targeting the EU or EU member states and voice solidarity with international partners. The European Union expressed solidarity and condemned the January 13 and 14 DoS cyberattacks against Ukraine in the beginning of this year.
The EU has also put in place targeted restrictive measures against persons or entities linked to cyberattacks that are able to have a significant impact and present an external threat to the EU and member states. The cyber threat sanctions currently apply to eight individuals and four entities from Russia, China and North Korea.
Related photo, credit: BPTI
