Thread by @haynesdeborah

BREAKING: 🇷🇺Russian cyber spies are trying to steal research into #coronavirus vaccines & treatments from 🇬🇧UK, 🇺🇸US & 🇨🇦Canada, the 3 countries claim.
The attack is ongoing, with British cyber experts working to defend research institutes, labs & other targets in UK @NCSC says

The UK's @NCSC (which is leading this charge) accused a group called #APT29 - aka "the Dukes”/“Cozy Bear” - for the attacks & said it “almost certainly operates as part of Russian intelligence services”
The NCSC said its assessment is supported by its US + Canadian counterparts

Paul Chichester, @NCSC ops director, says: “We condemn these despicable attacks against those doing vital work to combat the coronavirus pandemic... We would urge organisations to familiarise themselves with the advice we have published to help defend their networks.”

NEW: UK's @DominicRaab condemns Russian spy agencies over alleged attempts to steal #COVID19 vaccine research.
“While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behaviour, the UK + allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine & protecting global health"

NEW: 🇷🇺Russia has denied the #coronavirus cyber spy claims. A Russian diplomatic source tells me: "It's hard to reconcile 🇬🇧Ambassador (to 🇷🇺 Deborah) Bronnert's call for depoliticised cooperation on post-COVID recovery with brazen politicisation of the matter by" @DominicRaab