The MIVD states that Russian state actors are increasingly active in trying to infiltrate digital systems in the Netherlands. This concerns, among others, companies in the energy and water sectors, as well as ports. The goal is to make preparations for sabotage at the moment Russia decides to do so.
According to the MIVD, the first confirmed Russian sabotage activities took place in the Netherlands in 2023. Details about the nature or location of these attacks are not provided, but the service says these actions go beyond espionage. The activities are said to be coordinated and fit within broader Russian strategies.
The MIVD says it is not just about the Netherlands. Other European countries are also targets of similar operations. Russia is trying to undermine European unity and exploit vulnerabilities. The intelligence service sees a connection between these digital attacks and broader geopolitical tensions.
A notable point in the annual report is the warning that the elections for the European Parliament in June 2024 could also be a target of Russian influence campaigns. According to the MIVD, there are signals that Russia uses disinformation to damage public trust in democratic processes.
The MIVD has indications that the Russian military intelligence service GRU is involved in the cyber operations. These are said to be carried out by specially trained units, using so-called shadow networks. This allows access to critical infrastructure without detection.
The Dutch government takes the threat seriously according to the annual report and is working on strengthening digital resilience. This is done in cooperation with international partners, including other European intelligence services. No concrete measures are mentioned.