In brief
Analysts reveal that since the onset of the Ukraine war, Chinese hacking groups have executed numerous cyber intrusions targeting Russian firms and government agencies, in an effort to steal military intelligence. These attacks, which began escalating soon after Russia's full-scale invasion in May 2022, illustrate a stark contrast to the publicly professed friendship between the two nations.
Cybersecurity experts identify a specific group, Sanyo, which impersonated a prominent Russian engineering company's email in a bid to extract information about nuclear submarines. Despite the financial and military prowess of China, military analysts suggest that the nation views the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to enhance its understanding of modern warfare and the effectiveness of various weapons systems.According to Che Chang from TeamT5, the Chinese are actively aiming to gather intelligence on Russian military operations and advancements. While Russian officials haven't publicly acknowledged these cyber breaches, a leaked F.S.B. report highlights Moscow's concerns, labeling China as a potential adversary actively seeking Russian defense expertise and technology.
