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Dutch intelligence services — the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) — have found that Russia exploited civilian internet-connected surveillance cameras to spy on NATO military installations.
The Telegraph broke the story, with UATV English relaying the report.
A joint investigation traced the hacking activity to Kremlin-linked actors who broke into IP cameras positioned along routes used for military transport. Through these devices, they collected intelligence on weapons shipments headed to Kyiv.
“Organizations with IP [internet protocol] cameras on these routes have now been warned so that they could take action,” the agencies said after revealing what they described as a large-scale Russian campaign.
The AIVD and MIVD indicated the operation was aimed at NATO’s European member states — with the Netherlands singled out in particular — as well as Ukraine.
While the agencies didn’t identify precisely which devices were breached, they flagged video calling systems and home security cameras with smartphone-based remote monitoring as especially at risk. Hackers reportedly track down such devices through publicly available network-scanning tools. Investigators also found that many cameras had weak security, often still running default passwords and outdated firmware.
“When the IP camera is identified, the malicious party can attempt to access the IP camera via the internet. This is often relatively easy, because many IP cameras connected to the internet are insufficiently secure,” the agencies explained.
Internet-connected IP cameras have grown increasingly common in recent years, driven by low-cost options — especially from Chinese manufacturers — and wider access to high-speed internet.
Exploiting cameras this way has become a routine tactic in contemporary warfare. Virtually any camera mounted on a street, building, or business can serve as a source of intelligence, and this approach is generally viewed as cheaper and simpler than relying on drones or satellites.
In related news, Italy’s government recently opted to expel two Russian Embassy military attachés over their alleged involvement in espionage.
Read also: Prominent Pro-Ukraine Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71 in the US
