Russia cannot avoid the responsibility of cyberattacks, warns British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab

London/Moscow: – British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab issued a stern warning to Russia over the issue of cyberattacks, ‘The hackers launching cyberattacks seem to be stressing on creating obstacles with sabotage. These factors are the notorious gangs of the 21st century. They don’t only mean causing trouble. These factors, with support from some countries and criminal gangs, are also trying to weaken the democracies. When a country like Russia provides shelter to these hackers and criminal gangs, it cannot say that they have not done anything. Russia must remember that it is also a Russian responsibility to take action against these hackers and criminal gangs.’

CYBERUK Conference was organised in the United Kingdom on Wednesday. At this time, Foreign Minister Raab severely criticised China, North Korea and Iran, along with Russia, over the issue of the increasing threat of cyberattacks. The British Foreign Minister presented his stand, saying, ‘China, North Korea and Iran, as well as Russia, are countries with monopolistic regimes. These governments are using digital technology for sabotage and looting. The technology is also being used for censorship and controlling certain activities. The steps taken by the Junta regime in Myanmar is a glaring example of this.’

At this time, Foreign Minister Raab mentioned some cyberattacks around the world carried out in the last few years. Citing the cyberattacks like the NotPetya cyberattack launched by Russia in 2017, cyberattacks on US elections in 2016 and 2020, cyberattacks on British elections in 2019 and the cyberattacks on Microsoft server, Raab pointed to the ever-increasing extent of cyberattacks. While talking about the ransomware attacks, the British Foreign Minister gave information regarding the cyberattack on the US pipeline.

Raab appealed that there is a need to form a front on the international level along with the local defences for protection against the increasing cyber threats. Raab informed that the United Kingdom was working in that direction and is investing more than 20 million pounds in countries from Africa and Indo-Pacific for cybersecurity.

The United Kingdom has taken an aggressive stand on the issue of Russian cyberattacks. Last year, following a cyberattack to steal information regarding the vaccines, the United Kingdom had made open accusations against Russia. Before that, the United Kingdom had prepared a plan to launch cyberattacks on Russian leaders and agencies in retaliation for the Russian espionage and other activities.