France to Summon Russian Envoy Over Alleged Cyber Campaign Attacks

France will summon Russia's ambassador to Paris after accusing Moscow of carrying out a cyber campaign that targeted France and several other European countries.

The move marks the latest escalation in tensions between the two countries, as European governments step up efforts to counter suspected cyber threats.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Paris would also impose sanctions on Russian individuals and organisations believed to be involved in the cyber operations.

The announcement comes as the European Union continues to tighten its response to cyberattacks linked to Russia and the ongoing Ukraine war.

• France to summon Russian envoy over alleged cyber campaign attacks
• France imposes sanctions after accusing Russia of cyberattacks
• France steps up cybersecurity response amid alleged Russian cyber campaign

France Responds to Alleged Cyberattacks

Speaking to French television, Barrot said the cyber campaign had targeted around a dozen countries, including France. He alleged that the attacks were aimed at gathering intelligence and disrupting critical systems.

He said France would summon the Russian ambassador in the coming days to formally protest the alleged activities. The government will also sanction nine Russian individuals and four organisations that French authorities say were involved in planning or carrying out the attacks.

French officials believe the campaign was coordinated by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Although they did not identify the specific targets, they described the attacks as a serious threat to both France's national security and Europe's broader digital security.

The government said the measures are intended to hold those responsible accountable while reinforcing France's commitment to protecting its digital infrastructure from future cyber threats.

Europe Strengthens Cybersecurity Efforts

France's decision comes as the European Union prepares another round of sanctions against Russia. Since the war in Ukraine began, European governments have increasingly accused Russian-linked groups of carrying out cyberattacks, espionage, and disinformation campaigns across the region.

Officials say the latest sanctions are part of a broader European strategy to deter hostile cyber activity through diplomatic action, economic measures and stronger cooperation on cybersecurity. Paris believes the individuals and organisations being sanctioned played an important role in the alleged cyber campaign.

Russia has consistently denied accusations that it carries out cyberattacks against Western countries. Moscow has rejected similar claims made by European governments and NATO members, describing them as politically motivated and lacking evidence.

The latest diplomatic move reflects growing concerns across Europe about the increasing use of cyber operations in international conflicts. Security experts say governments, critical infrastructure and private companies have become frequent targets of sophisticated cyber campaigns linked to state actors.

France has previously blamed Russian-linked groups for several cyber incidents and has repeatedly called for closer international cooperation to tackle digital threats. By summoning the Russian ambassador and imposing fresh sanctions, Paris is signalling that it intends to respond more firmly to actions it believes threaten its national interests.

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The case also highlights how cybersecurity has become a key issue in global diplomacy. As countries face increasingly complex cyber threats, governments are treating digital attacks as a major national security concern alongside conventional military challenges. With diplomatic tensions still high, Russia-France relations and digital security are expected to remain at the centre of international attention.