Russia hacked Dutch cameras to spy on Ukraine arms routes

Russian state hackers have accessed a small number of internet-connected cameras along military transport routes in the Netherlands, part of a wider operation to spy on arms shipments to Ukraine, the Dutch domestic and military intelligence services have said.

In a joint statement, the services said the operation targeted Nato member states, including the Netherlands, as well as Ukraine.

By breaking into the cameras – privately owned devices, many run by businesses – Russia can see which routes are being used and what weapons and equipment are being sent to Ukraine.

The services did not say how many Dutch cameras were compromised, describing them only as a small number on or near military-logistics routes. Defence officials have not disclosed which routes or cameras were affected.

Businesses with cameras on the routes have been warned so they can act. The Netherlands is a prime target for Russian espionage, the services said, because of its position as a transit country and its support for Ukraine.

Many internet-connected cameras are poorly secured, often still running default passwords and outdated software. In March, the same services warned that Russian hackers were targeting the Signal and WhatsApp accounts of officials and military staff.