Russian Defense Researchers Receive Email Listing 'US Sanctions Targets'
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Hackers supported by the Chinese government have been found to have attempted to hack confidential information from the Russian defense industry.
The New York Times (NYT) recently reported that Check Point, a cybersecurity company from the United States and Israel, released a report detailing this matter.
According to Check Point, the group that attempted the hacking is called "Twisted Panda." On March 23, they sent an email to scientists and engineers working at Russian defense research and development institutions, with the sender labeled as the Russian Ministry of Health.
The email, titled "List of U.S. Sanctioned Individuals Regarding the Ukraine Invasion," contained an attached document that concealed malware.
The Chinese hackers targeted Russian defense research institutes conducting research related to satellite communications for aircraft, radar, and electronic warfare. These Russian institutes are subsidiaries of Rostec Corporation, a state-owned defense company established in 2007 under the directive of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
China's cyber espionage operations against Russia began in July last year but reportedly evolved after the end of February, following the Ukraine invasion, to exploit the heightened interest in the war.
Itai Cohen, head of cyber research at Check Point, told the NYT, "This case is a very sophisticated cyberattack," adding, "The methods and code used by these hackers are very similar to past incidents committed by hacking groups supported by the Chinese government."
The NYT evaluated that "Since Chinese President Xi Jinping declared improving scientific and technological capabilities as a top priority, China's cyber espionage activities have become more sophisticated."
This incident clearly illustrates the complexity of the China-Russia relationship, which has formed an external joint front against the West in the Russia-Ukraine war. It is notable that Chinese hackers targeted Russia, whom they consider a 'friend,' with indiscriminate cyberattacks.
Check Point diagnosed, "This attack against the Russian defense sector is evidence that China is utilizing organized and long-term espionage activities to achieve its strategic goal of gaining technological and military superiority."
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