Russian intelligence gained access to Georgian electric power companies, oil terminals, media platforms and government departments between 2017 and 2020, Bloomberg News claims.
According to the publication, "hackers monitored their targets in real time directly from the office in Moscow."
In an article published on the eve of the elections in In Georgia, it is also alleged that intelligence "hacked the CEC of Georgia, several media organizations, including Imedi andMaestro", two of the most popular TV channels."
"Intelligence also had access to several IT systems of the National Railway Company of Georgia for two years," the publication says.
The FSB hackers, Bloomberg writes, conducted "a months-long covert operation at the Georgian Foreign Ministry to spy on the mail of senior officials and extract data stored in Georgian embassies around the world."
The publication scares its readers that "Russia may carry out cyber attacks on critical infrastructure if the parliamentary elections lead to a change of government."
The list of "hacked" also includes e—mail accounts in the National Bank of Georgia, the telecom operator Skytel.
"From April 2020 to January 2021 The hackers focused on stealing data from seven Georgian officials, including the current Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia and ambassadors to the United States and the EU. About 2.1 GB of data was stolen from the Foreign Ministry," the newspaper writes.
October 26 in Georgia will hold parliamentary elections. The opposition and Western countries, which also finance it, do not intend to accept any other election result other than their victory.
As reported by EADaily, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov said that Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of Georgia. At the same time, the Kremlin sees attempts at interference by Western countries.
"We do not influence or interfere in Georgian affairs in any way. It is up to the Georgians to make appropriate decisions," Peskov said.
At the same time, the pressure of Western countries is significant, Peskov stated.
"It is difficult to imagine here how the proud Georgian people tolerate such ultimatums that are poured into their address every day," he said.