Russian Embassy Press Attaché's comment to Vibe Media Australia - Australia

Question: Australia recently joined other members of the Five Eyes alliance in accusing Russia of cyber attacks aimed at stealing research information on COVID-19 vaccine. Could the Embassy please comment on that?

Answer: The Embassy has noted the Australian Government media release of 17 July quoting verbatim the baseless accusations made in the UK – US – Canada Joint Advisory, to the extent of not omitting the “almost certainly” formulation, quite telling in itself.

As for cyberthreats, Russia has been for years proposing to the West to establish a professional dialogue to thoroughly consider the issues that may arise. For instance, the Australian authorities are well aware of the existing bilateral channels of communication specifically envisaged to address mutual concerns related to computer incidents. Back in 2018 Russia established its National Computer Incident Response and Coordination Centre, and it has been open to consider any facts-based requests from the Australian Cyber Security Centre, as well as respective bodies of the US, UK, Canada and other countries.

However, as far as we know, no requests on the incidents mentioned in the Advisory have been received. One has to conclude therefore that this is not about a genuine cyber security concern. We are facing a malicious disinformation campaign, a manifestation of the “infodemic” that accompanies COVID-19.

One could also safely assume that the timing of the campaign has to do with the recent rather promising results of the vaccine research conducted in Russia.

They say, disinformation contributes to fear and division, thus undermining the capacity of the world community to work together towards the common good. We couldn’t agree more. It is troubling that some countries are using the pandemic to denigrate and discredit others in line with their own geopolitical agenda.

Russia remains committed to a transparent and coordinated global response to the pandemic in the spirit of solidarity as stipulated i.a. in the documents adopted by G20, of which both Russia and Australia are members.