According to a new assessment from the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET), the Danish election to the EU Parliament has not been subjected to systematic influence from Russia. Although a single denial-of-service attack from pro-Russian cyber activists was registered on the election day, this was not indicative of a coordinated effort. The attack, which targeted a website under the Ministry of Interior and Health (valg.im.dk), resulted in a brief unavailability but had no significant impact on the electoral process, according to PET. This situation is consistent with previous elections in Denmark, where no systematic influence from foreign states has been detected.
“We continuously observe Russian attempts to influence the Danish population, but in connection with the European Parliament election, we have not seen what we describe as systematic and coordinated influence,” says Anders Henriksen, head of counter-espionage at PET. He emphasizes that no major influence campaigns from foreign intelligence services aimed at creating division among Danes and Danish politicians have been observed.
The Danish Defence Intelligence Service (FE) has also assessed the situation and concludes that pro-Russian cyber activists were responsible for the attack. Anja Dalgaard-Nielsen, head of intelligence at FE, points out that although no systematic influence has been detected in Denmark, Russia is still active in attempting to influence populations and politicians in Europe in general. “It is also our assessment that Russia has directed their operations towards other, larger countries in connection with the recently held election,” she says.
According to PET, influence campaigns often exploit existing divisions in populations to create conflict and polarization. This can be done by spreading distorted information or disinformation. Russia uses various channels and methods, including online platforms and networks of influence actors, to manipulate public opinion abroad.