Secret documents stolen from Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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In Lithuania, it was revealed that in November last year, hackers related to Russia stole several e-mails of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Another similar cyber attack on the ministry took place this week, but proved unsuccessful. The authorities are now investigating what has happened and assessing the extent of the damage.

The hackers claim to have stolen one and a half million correspondence between the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassies, as well as with NATO allies.

Lithuanian President Gitan Nauseda has admitted that an investigation is underway to determine the damage caused by the cyber attack, however, it is clear that the information has been leaked and some of this information is “secret”.

Lithuanian media reports that the correspondence also covered US policy in Europe, the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, and Lithuania’s relations with Belarus and China.

Nauseda said the leaked information “could cause significant harm, especially to the Allies.” Asta Skaisgirīte, Chief Foreign Adviser of Nausēde, admitted that there could be a connection between the disappearance of documents from the Ministry and the riots on Tuesday evening near the Seimas and in the illegal migrants’ camp in Šalčininkai district Rūdninkai landfill.

The President’s Adviser also added that it can already be said that the unrest has caused great damage to the country, as hostile autocratic forces are making excellent use of it for their propaganda in the information war in which Lithuania is currently fighting.

“There are constant cyber-attacks against our authorities, but their success is not guaranteed. I would like to emphasize that the attack took place in November. “says Lithuanian Minister of Defense Arvīds Anušausks.

“I and the Department of Homeland Security clearly see this as both a great threat and a great opportunity. I will remind you that the Department of Homeland Security has always emphasized in its public threat assessment reports that cyberspace is extremely vulnerable and that cyber attacks are very, very likely,” Director of the State Security Department Darjus Jaunišķis.

Russian and Belarusian military exercises “Zapad-2021” will take place in mid-September, but Lithuanian experts say that Russia has already intensified its activities in the field of cyber attacks and information warfare.

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