**Russia Blamed for Cyberattack on Azerbaijan**
Azerbaijani lawmakers have accused Russia of launching a cyberattack against their country earlier this month. According to an investigation, the attack was carried out by the notorious APT29 group, also known as Cozy Bear, which is believed to be linked to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
The cyberattack occurred on February 20 and targeted various government agencies, foreign diplomatic missions, and critical infrastructure in Azerbaijan. “APT29’s activities are mainly directed against government agencies, foreign diplomatic missions, as well as political, defense, energy, media, and other critical areas,” said Azer Namazov, the Azerbaijani lawmaker who revealed the findings of the investigation.
Namazov suggested that the cyberattack was a retaliation for Azerbaijan’s decision to close the Russian House in Baku earlier this month. He also hinted at possible tensions between the two countries over the recent crash of a plane that killed 38 people. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has accused Russia of causing the crash, which has strained relations between the two nations.
This is not the first time that Russian hacker groups have engaged in cyber warfare against other countries. During the full-scale war with Ukraine, Russia has launched numerous cyberattacks against Ukrainian government agencies and civilian infrastructure. The country has also been linked to hacks of European infrastructure and interference in foreign elections.
**Analysis**
The accusation against Russia highlights the growing tensions between Azerbaijan and Moscow. Despite their historical ties, relations between the two countries have been strained since the plane crash on December 25. This cyberattack suggests that Russia is willing to use aggressive tactics to retaliate against Azerbaijan’s actions.
This development also raises concerns about the use of cyber warfare in international conflicts. As we see more countries engaging in cyberattacks against each other, it becomes increasingly clear that this tactic can be used as a tool for coercion and retaliation.
**What does this mean?**
The cyberattack on Azerbaijan is a reminder that cybersecurity is not just an issue for individual organizations or governments, but also a concern for the international community. As more countries engage in cyber warfare, we need to strengthen our defenses against these threats and find ways to hold perpetrators accountable.
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