The Story Unit 29155: The Russian cyberagency targeting Britain
Dec 16, 2024
Fiona Hamilton, Chief Correspondent for The Times and expert in security reporting, delves into the ominous activities of Unit 29155, a Russian military intelligence unit notorious for cyberattacks and assassinations in Britain. She unpacks the chilling incidents like the Salisbury poisonings and alleged sabotage against DHL. The discussion highlights MI5's strategies against these threats while addressing the broader implications of espionage and disinformation in today’s complex geopolitical landscape.
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Salisbury Poisonings
- In Salisbury (2018), GRU agents poisoned Sergei Skripal, a former GRU officer, and his daughter Yulia with Novichok.
- An inquiry is examining Dawn Sturgis' death after she contacted discarded Novichok, highlighting the incident's impact.
GRU Agents' Identification
- The GRU agents involved in the Salisbury attack were identified through CCTV footage and open-source investigations.
- Their interview with a state broadcaster, intended to deflect blame, inadvertently revealed information leading to their identification.
DHL Sabotage
- An exploding package at a DHL cargo warehouse in Germany, attributed to Russian sabotage, highlighted security risks.
- A similar incident occurred in Birmingham around the same time, raising concerns about Russia's destabilizing activities.