German media have reported extensively that Badin is believed to have been working on behalf cigarettesusaonline.com]Online Cigarettes Store USA[/url] of Russia’s GRU military intelligence service.
Mrs Merkel confirmed the reports as she answered parliamentary questions. “I take these things very seriously because cigarettesusaonline.com]Cheap Newport Cigarettes Online Sale[/url] I believe this has been very thoroughly investigated,” she said.
“There is a hybrid warfare strategy by Russia we can’t ignore that includes cyber attacks, disorientation and manipulation of facts.
“I will work for a good relationship with Russia because I think there’s good reason to continue these diplomatic efforts. But of course this doesn’t make it easy.”
Sensitive government communications are not believed to have been affected by the attack, which targeted an email account used by Mrs Merkel's parliamentary constituency office.
Angela Merkel threatened Russia with consequences yesterday on Wednesday as she accused Vladimir Putin’s intelligence services of hacking her emails.
“We always reserve the right to take measures, including against Russia,” Mrs Merkel told the German parliament.
Germany has “hard evidence” Russian intelligence was behind a 2015 hacking attack in which cigarettesusaonline.com]Newport box 100s menthol cigarettes[/url] her emails were compromised, she said.
It was the first official confirmation of claims that have been extensively reported by the German press in recent days.
“I can honestly say that it pains me,” Mrs Merkel said, voicing her frustration at what she called Russia’s “outrageous” behaviour.