Fact Check: "Chinese hackers infiltrated Russian military secrets since May 2022"
What We Know
Recent reports indicate that Chinese hackers have indeed targeted Russian military secrets, with significant activity noted as early as May 2022. A detailed report by the Israeli-American cybersecurity firm Check Point revealed that state-sponsored hackers from China attempted to infiltrate Russian military research and development institutes. These attacks were sophisticated and utilized social engineering tactics to entice Russian scientists and engineers into opening malicious emails disguised as communications from the Russian Ministry of Health (source-3).
The report highlighted that these hacking efforts were part of a broader campaign to collect sensitive military technological information, particularly focusing on institutes associated with Rostec Corporation, a major player in Russia's defense sector (source-3). Furthermore, Check Point noted that the Chinese espionage operation began as early as July 2021, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, indicating a longer-term strategy to gather intelligence on Russian military capabilities (source-3).
Analysis
The claim that Chinese hackers infiltrated Russian military secrets since May 2022 is supported by credible evidence from cybersecurity experts. The Check Point report is particularly significant as it provides a detailed account of the methods used by Chinese hackers, including advanced social engineering techniques and malware deployment (source-3).
However, it is important to note that while the report emphasizes the targeting of Russian military secrets, it also states that the Chinese hacking campaign had been ongoing since at least July 2021, which complicates the narrative that the infiltration began specifically in May 2022. This earlier timeline suggests a more extensive and premeditated effort rather than a sudden shift in strategy following the Ukraine invasion.
Moreover, the reliability of the sources is strong, as Check Point is a well-regarded cybersecurity firm known for its expertise in tracking cyber threats. The New York Times, which published the report, is also a reputable news organization with a history of investigative journalism (source-2). However, it is essential to remain cautious about potential biases, as narratives surrounding cybersecurity can sometimes be influenced by geopolitical tensions.
Conclusion
The claim that "Chinese hackers infiltrated Russian military secrets since May 2022" is Partially True. While there is substantial evidence that Chinese hackers targeted Russian military secrets around that time, the activity appears to have begun earlier, in July 2021. This nuance is critical as it indicates a longer-term espionage strategy rather than a sudden onset of attacks in response to geopolitical events.
Sources
- The China Threat - Counterintelligence
- China Is Hacking Russia to Steal War Secrets
- Chinese Hackers Tried to Steal Russian Defense Data ...
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