Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Chinese government-linked hacker groups have consistently conducted cyberattacks against Russian companies and state agencies in an effort to uncover military and technological secrets. This is according to a report published by The New York Times.
The attacks, which intensified in May 2022, aim to collect data on weapons, satellite communications, and tactics used by Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine. Security experts suggest that China is attempting to learn from Russia’s war experience to strengthen its own capabilities, particularly in anticipation of a potential conflict over Taiwan.
According to an internal FSB document, China is considered an “enemy” and has a particular interest in Russia’s drone warfare technology and military electronic systems. Targets of these hacks have reportedly included Rostec and companies within the defense and aviation sectors.
Despite public portrayals of Moscow and Beijing as strategic allies, the report highlights a high level of distrust and a more complex partnership than what public statements between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin suggest.
