"The team uses a CNA, which stands for Computer Network Attack. These hackers are permitted to perform offensive operations: to penetrate and attack hostile networks. It's a relatively small team within a larger digital business unit of about 80-100 people. All cyberoperations converge here. Part of the unit is focused on intercepting or managing sources, while another team is dedicated to Computer Network Defence. In turn, this team is part of the Joint Sigint Cyber Unit, a collaborative unit of the AIVD and the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service MIVD, of about 300 people."
"The Cozy Bear hackers are in a space in a university building near the Red Square. The group's composition varies, usually about ten people are active. The entrance is in a curved hallway. A security camera records who enters and who exits the room. The AIVD hackers manage to gain access to that camera. Not only can the intelligence service now see what the Russians are doing, they can also see who's doing it. Pictures are taken of every visitor. In Zoetermeer, these pictures are analyzed and compared to known Russian spies."
"What follows is a rare battle between the attackers, who are attempting to further infiltrate the State Department, and its defenders, FBI and NSA teams - with clues and intelligence provided by the Dutch. This battle lasts 24 hours, according to American media.
The Russians are extremely aggressive but do not know they're being spied on. Thanks to the Dutch spies, the NSA and FBI are able to counter the enemy with enormous speed. The Dutch intel is so crucial that the NSA opens a direct line with Zoetermeer, to get the information to the United States as soon as possible."
"Access to Cozy Bear turns out to be a goldmine for the Dutch hackers. For years, it supplies them with valuable intelligence about targets, methods and the interests of the highest ranking officials of the Russian security service. From the pictures taken of visitors, the AIVD deduces that the hacker group is led by Russia's external intelligence agency SVR."
https://www.volkskrant.nl/media/dutch-a
Skvernelis: "This project ["LNG" liquid gas terminal in Klaipeda] is highly important for us. I am not questioning the price we paid in implementing this project. However, we provide gas supply to Latvia and Estonia even though we did not manage to reach an agreement among the Baltic States to make Klaipeda a regional gas supply centre for the Baltic States. If we had managed to make the LNG terminal in Klaipeda a regional project, we could have used financial support from the European Union, leading to a decrease in the gas prices for the whole region. [..] We are still working towards this and we are still seeking a common regional gas market. Because there is an underground gas storage facility in Latvia and Estonia also has a small gas terminal. If we had agreed on the project before and attracted European Union support, we could have decreased the gas prices for the consumers of the Baltic States by seven percent. This could have also contributed to the competitiveness of our region."
http://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/b
"Kā stāsta Latvijas ekonomikas ministrs Ašeradens, Latvijas patērētājiem kuģa atpirkšana visdrīzāk nozīmētu gāzes tarifu palielināšanos."
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