STATEMENT by the Delegation of Ukraine at the UN Security Council Open Debate on “Cybersecurity” (20 June 2024)

Mr. President,

We thank the Republic of Korea Security Council Presidency for convening this High-Level Open Debate.

We also extend our appreciation to the Secretary-General and other briefers for their remarks.

Ukraine aligns itself with the EU statement and would like to make some remarks in our national capacity.

We strongly believe that the Security Council plays an important role in addressing threats to international peace and security, including in cyberspace.

The cyber threat landscape continues to evolve and has become even more challenging than ever before.

Ransomware has been an increasingly common and significant risk to government, businesses, and individuals.

In addition, we are witnessing the increase number of malicious cyber operations targeting critical infrastructure and critical information infrastructure, including the energy sector, public services and electoral processes.

Some state actors continue to undermine the international rules-based order and the framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace by conducting malicious cyber activities.

In this regard, the DPRK has been engaged in cyber espionage and cryptocurrency theft aimed at further developing its nuclear and WMD programmes in violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Recently, Russia’s cyber espionage group APT28 conducted cyberattacks against a number of EU Member States.

Mr. President,

Ukraine has been facing Russia’s aggression, including in cyberspace.  

Since the beginning of the war, Russia’s cyberattacks have been growing more sophisticated and targeting government and security agencies, businesses and financial institutions.

 Moscow’s cybercriminals conducting phishing attacks, cyber espionage, attacks against critical infrastructure, as well as spreading disinformation and propaganda.

In order to effectively prevent, combat and mitigate cyber threats, Ukraine actively cooperates with international partners to build an effective cyber capacity building, which is fundamental for the exercise of the right to self-defence in cyberspace.

In addition, Ukraine has also started to investigate and prosecute cyber-attacks as war crimes.

Mr. President,

States must abide by their international commitments and obligations, including in the context of the security of the use of ICTs.

As we reaffirmed here at the United Nations, international law, including the UN Charter, is applicable in cyber domain. Therefore, all state actors who act contrary to the agreed framework should be held to account.

To conclude, we encourage the UN Member States to continue working together on strengthening and implementing the normative framework of responsible state behaviour, raising awareness and exchanging best practices in response to the existing and emerging threats in cyber domain.

 Thank you.