The targeted entities include public services, private companies, and a sports organization involved in organizing the upcoming 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

These cyberattacks have raised alarms over national security vulnerabilities, particularly as they targeted critical infrastructure and sensitive data.

France's foreign ministry has accused Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, specifically unit APT28, of conducting cyber attacks on various French entities since 2021, with the intent to destabilize the country.

Despite being aware of the ongoing cyber campaign since 2023, countermeasures have proven ineffective, as attackers have adapted their methods to exploit less secure infrastructures.

Past incidents cited by French authorities include the hacking of Emmanuel Macron's campaign emails in 2017 and an attack on TV5Monde in 2015.

The French government made these accusations public to inform citizens during a period of political uncertainty and amidst Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

France is not alone in facing these threats; NATO countries, including Poland and Ukraine, have also been targeted by APT28 since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In September 2024, international intelligence agencies, including those from Germany, warned of potential cyberattacks targeting NATO countries.

France's cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, is leading efforts to enhance defenses and increase public awareness about the risks posed by cyberattacks.

ANSSI has highlighted several APT28 campaigns since 2021, particularly targeting Roundcube email servers and employing phishing tactics.

The group's cyber operations aim to manipulate public opinion in France, as demonstrated by their involvement in the 2017 presidential election, although their impact on the electoral process was minimal.

Ultimately, Macron won the 2017 election, defeating far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, despite the cyber interference.