British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said in a statement Monday that the joint sanctions brought against Russia by Britain and the European Union send the message that Russia "cannot hide behind its use of these proxy groups" in cyberattacks across Europe. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
July 13 (UPI) -- Britain and the European Union announced new sanctions against Russia on Monday over cyberattacks against member nations and online disinformation campaigns.
The sanctions target 24 individuals and entities that are allegedly involved in a proxy network tied to the Russian Intelligence Services.
Britain and the EU said have accused Russia of being involved in a cyberattack on Poland's energy grid in December that put electricity access at risk for 500,000 people.
"These sanctions strike at the core of the cybercriminal networks propping up the Russian state's aggression, and the U.K. and EU are sending a clear message that Russia cannot hide behind its use of these proxy groups," Yvette Cooper, EU foreign secretary, said in a statement. "From directing criminals to targeting businesses, and striking Poland's energy grid in the depths of winter, the Russian state is sinking to new lows in its attempts to undermine European security."
