The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence; and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, today issued the following statement:
"Canada strongly condemns Russia's malicious cyber activities targeting the United Kingdom, other allies and Ukraine. Canada joins its partners and allies in calling out this activity by Russia's military intelligence service (the GRU). Russia's malicious cyber activity and the subsequent harmful real-world impacts it caused such as the bombing of the Mariupol Theatre, the targeting of Yulia Skripal and cyber operations in support of Putin's illegal war in Ukraine.
"Russia's pattern of disruptive cyber activity demonstrates a repeated disregard for the rules-based international system. It also demonstrates Russia's willingness to use its cyber capabilities irresponsibly as part of a wider campaign to interfere with and destabilize other countries.
"Canada, in conjunction with our partners and allies, including the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, will continue to defend a stable cyberspace, built on the applicability of and respect for international law, as well as responsible state behaviour, in cyberspace.
"We remind Canadian organizations, especially critical infrastructure network defenders, to bolster their awareness of and protection against Russian cyber threats. We encourage all Canadians to follow updated advice and guidance at cyber.gc.ca."
Quick facts
Previous malicious Russian cyber activities include the following:
- Electoral and political interference via cyber means targeting the United Kingdom, made public in 2023
- The targeting of Viasat's KA-SAT satellite Internet service in Ukraine and other parts of Europe in February 2022
- The targeting of the Ukrainian banking sector in February 2022
- The exploitation of the SolarWinds Platform by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) in 2021
- The SVR's targeting of Canadian COVID-19 vaccine research and development in 2020
- Interference by Russia's GRU in Georgia's 2020 parliamentary elections
