US, Britain condemn Russian cyber attacks against Olympic Games

British and American officials have said the attacks were carried out by 74455 units. of the Russian Military Intelligence Agency (GRU), also known as the main Centre for Special Technology.

The US State Department has said Monday that six members of this unit have played a key role in attacks on targets involving the Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons and the French elections of 2017.

The department's indictment has included four years of harmful activity, the period 2015-2019 respectively.

The British office has said GRU hackers have conducted cyber-intelligence “operations against the 2020 Olympic organisers, which were scheduled to be held this year, but have been delayed due to the coronary pandemic.

Officials have not provided specific data on the attacks or whether they have been successful, but have said they have targeted the Games organisers, logistics providers and sponsors.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: GRU's actions against the Olympic and Paralympic Games are cynical. We condemn them to the highest degree”.

The deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations said: The FBI has repeatedly reiterated that Russia is a skilled cybercompeter and the information published in this indictment illustrates how devastating Russia's cyber activities really are”.

Russia had been banned from major world sports events for four years in December because of doping-related actions, including the Tokyo Games.

Britain and the United States have said Monday that Russian hackers have been involved in other attacks, such as punishing the opening ceremony at the Winter Olympic Games held in South Korea in 2018.

Through these actions, hundreds of computers have been compromised, access to the Internet and live-time transmissions have been reduced.