Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia again responded to the cyberattack which was carried out in October, paralyzing thousands of Georgian websites, pointing out that Georgia will act as the worthy member of the Western Family in relation to this case, according to Georgia Today. 

"Cyberspace does not only contain risks for Georgia, but is a global challenge," PM said.

He told reporters that Georgia, with the support of strategic partners, had launched an investigation into the cyberattack and the process is continuing.

“We have finished talking about it. Now is a time to finish speculations on this topic. This is a matter of national security in the form of hybrid use of force, and we are working with our strategic partners. Cyberspace does not only contain risks for Georgia, but it is a global challenge. We need to take appropriate responsibility to overcome it. Therefore, we will do everything quietly and peacefully, just like a worthy member of the Western family.

Great results have been achieved through the joint efforts, various actions and investigations conducted by our strategic partners... And yes, this attack came from Russia," Gakharia said.

The Foreign Ministry of Georgia reported yesterday that the investigation conducted by the Georgian authorities, together with information gathered through cooperation with partners, established that the cyber-attack was planned and carried out on 28 October 2019 by the Main Division of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Also, according to Georgia Today, the US Embassy in Tbilisi has recently released the statement of Michael Pompeo, US Secretary of State. The publication condemns Russia’s cyberattack which was carried out in October, paralyzing thousands of Georgian websites. The statement affirms the States’ support of Georgia and calls on Russia to “cease this behavior in Georgia and elsewhere.”

“On October 28, 2019, the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) Main Center for Special Technologies (GTsST, also known as Unit 74455 and Sandworm) carried out a widespread disruptive cyber attack against the country of Georgia.  The incident, which directly affected the Georgian population, disrupted operations of several thousand Georgian government and privately-run websites and interrupted the broadcast of at least two major television stations.  This action contradicts Russia’s attempts to claim it is a responsible actor in cyberspace and demonstrates a continuing pattern of reckless Russian GRU cyber operations against a number of countries.  These operations aim to sow division, create insecurity, and undermine democratic institutions.

The United States calls on Russia to cease this behavior in Georgia and elsewhere.  The stability of cyberspace depends on the responsible behavior of nations.  We, together with the international community, will continue our efforts to uphold an international framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace.

We also pledge our support to Georgia and its people in enhancing their cybersecurity and countering malicious cyber actors.  We will offer additional capacity building and technical assistance to help strengthen Georgia’s public institutions and improve its ability to protect itself from these kinds of activities,” reads the statement published on the website of the US Embassy.

21 February 2020 / 22:21