Svr

SVR, also known as Russia's civilian foreign intelligence service, is the successor organization to the KGB’s First Chief Directorate. Known for its cyber capabilities, SVR has been involved in numerous incidents of cyber-espionage and intelligence gathering. The organization targets governmental networks across Europe and NATO member countries to collect intelligence on ongoing geopolitical issues. In addition, research institutes and think tanks have been targeted for intelligence collection. SVR has shown a particular interest in understanding Western political dynamics related to Ukraine and other flashpoint foreign policy issues, indicating that Western political parties could be potential future targets. The group, also referred to as Cozy Bear or Nobelium, has historically focused on diplomatic targets but has expanded its scope over time. For instance, it was linked to cyberattacks on COVID-19 vaccine developers and the infamous SolarWinds campaign. A notable departure from their typical focus was the targeting of German political parties, reflecting SVR’s interest in gaining information from political parties and civil society that could advance Moscow’s geopolitical interests. Furthermore, SVR has been implicated in hacking incidents involving major companies like Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Recently, SVR has made allegations against the US, claiming that American intelligence is plotting to interfere with the upcoming Russian presidential election. They suggest that American NGOs, with the help of IT specialists, plan to carry out cyberattacks on the remote electronic voting system to manipulate the vote count. This accusation adds another layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape, demonstrating the SVR's active role not only in cyber-espionage but also in shaping narratives around international politics and elections.