Russian Hackers Spied on NATO and Police Networks

Cyberattacks aren’t new. But this one was different. A previously unknown group of Russian hackers quietly broke into major European networks last year.

Dutch intelligence agencies revealed this on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The hackers targeted NATO, Dutch police systems, and several other European countries, according to Ziare.

The group is now known as “Laundry Bear.” Dutch intelligence believes they are linked to the Russian state.

The General Intelligence Agency and the Dutch Military Intelligence Service released a joint letter explaining their findings.

They said the attacks were not isolated. The hackers are part of a broader cyber threat against the West.

The operation went unnoticed until September 2024. That’s when security teams discovered the hackers had breached Dutch police systems.

They had access to confidential data. This included sensitive internal communications and official records.

But the hackers didn’t stop there. They also went after companies that make advanced technology.

These are the kinds of tools Russia has trouble getting because of Western sanctions. These sanctions were put in place after the war in Ukraine began.

The Dutch investigation found that Laundry Bear has been active since at least early 2024.

They have launched cyberattacks on other Western governments and organizations too.

Their main goal seems to be stealing information. In particular, they want to know how Western governments buy and build military equipment.

They also appear interested in the weapons being sent to Ukraine.

Officials say the attacks were clearly part of a larger, state-backed effort. These operations are likely tied to Russia’s struggle to keep up with modern defense systems.

With sanctions cutting off access to technology, cyber espionage has become a key strategy.

For now, Laundry Bear is under close watch. But experts believe more hidden groups like this may still be operating in silence.