According to the report, the Dutch intelligence agency sent intelligence to its Ukrainian counterparts regarding Russian cyber operations, enabling Ukraine to take action and stop leaks as a result. “This has contributed to the protection of Ukrainian government networks and vital infrastructure,” the MIVD noted.

“In addition, the MIVD shared intelligence and insights about Russian cyber operations with other partners and others, such as government services and the private sector… The MIVD itself has also disrupted Russian cyber operations,” the agency added.

“The threat from Russia is great,” MIVD Director, Rear Admiral Peter Reesink said in a press release regarding the recent report.

Chinese intelligence actors

“The Netherlands is still an attractive espionage target for Chinese intelligence actors, especially in the semiconductor, aerospace, and maritime industries,” the Dutch military intelligence agency MIVD said in its annual report published on Thursday.

According to the Dutch intelligence agency, China’s heavy investments in acquiring Western knowledge are due to the limited technical capabilities of Beijing.

“China wants to be independent of Western knowledge and technology (and) wants to build a military that can match any other. To do so, it needs advanced technology it doesn’t yet fully possess. It tries to get this abroad, using legal means such as research and investments, but also through its intelligence agencies,” MIVD noted.

“China tries to get hold of technology in the Netherlands in various ways, using a combination of (cyber) espionage, company insiders, acquisitions, circumvention of export restrictions, and reverse engineering of technology for which no licenses are required,” the agency added.

The MIVD’s report further pointed to Chinese universities playing an important role in gathering intelligence, as scientists who work with Western companies often also work for China’s security services and state companies.