German intelligence agencies are investigating a suspected cyber attack on the German Association for East European Studies (DGO), with connections to the notorious hacking group APT 29, also known as 'Cozy Bear.' This group is believed to operate on behalf of the Russian intelligence service and has previously targeted numerous organizations, including political parties in Germany.

The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) have confirmed their involvement in the investigation of this significant security breach.

The DGO disclosed the intrusion at the end of March 2025, indicating that unauthorized access to their email communications had occurred.

Security experts detected the breach when they observed multiple access attempts from an IP address that had been associated with a similar cyber attack the previous year.

The spokesperson for the DGO highlighted that in addition to cyber threats, personnel affiliated with organizations focusing on Russia and Belarus have faced incidents of physical harassment, including stalking and break-ins that resulted in the theft of data storage devices from their offices in Berlin.

In reaction to these ongoing threats, the DGO has worked to enhance its IT security measures following the attack experienced last year.

Nonetheless, the spokesperson underscored the challenges faced by smaller organizations in defending against such sophisticated cyber intrusions.

Recently, the BfV issued warnings to approximately 70 academic institutions and organizations about the escalating risks associated with Russian cyber activities.

Since February 2024, the DGO has been labeled as 'undesirable' by Russian authorities, which prohibits its operations in the country.

This designation carries significant implications for collaborations with Russian experts, who may face legal consequences for engaging with an organization classified as undesirable.

This term of designation is part of a broader crackdown by the Russian government on foreign political foundations and institutions, particularly in the wake of the escalation of the Ukraine conflict.

Other entities, including various German political foundations, the German Historical Institute in Moscow, and the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), have also been designated as undesirable entities in recent years.