“The cyberattacks against Dutch institutions are part of a larger international cyber threat posed by the hacker group,” the agencies wrote in a letter to parliament.
Investigators said Laundry Bear, “most likely supported by the Russian state,” was only detected after it broke into a Dutch police database in September 2024, obtaining confidential details of some 63,000 officers.
According to the joint statement, the group has targeted Western defense ministries, NATO bodies and high-tech companies whose products Moscow cannot easily buy because of war-related sanctions.
“The investigation also reveals that Laundry Bear has been responsible for cyber operations against Western governments and other institutions since at least 2024,” the agencies said.
Their aim was to steal information on “the procurement and production of military equipment by Western governments and Western arms deliveries to Ukraine.”
Dutch security chiefs Erik Akerboom (AIVD) and Vice-Admiral Peter Reesink (MIVD) said publishing the findings should “reduce Laundry Bear’s effectiveness and force stronger network protection” across Europe.
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Source: PAP, Reuters