In June 2025, a British cybersecurity researcher named Keir Giles was targeted by suspected Russian hackers masquerading as a U.S. State Department employee named Claudia Weber. The attackers used a novel tactic involving a specially crafted document requiring secure government permissions and an app-specific password or credential to bypass account protections. The hack attempted to gain access to Giles’ email and internal State Department communications. The Russian Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. The intrusions involved sophisticated phishing attempts with large language models creating deceptive messages. Although the hackers tried to mask their activity, the researcher’s defensive measures likely prevented compromise. The U.S. State Department denied immediate knowledge of any message spoofing connected to the case. This incident adds a new method to Russian espionage and hacking efforts against Western targets.

In June 2025, a British cybersecurity researcher named Keir Giles was targeted by suspected Russian hackers masquerading as a U.S. State Department employee named Claudia Weber. The attackers used a novel tactic involving a specially crafted document requiring secure government permissions and an app-specific password or credential to bypass account protections. The hack attempted to gain access to Giles’ email and internal State Department communications. The Russian Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. The intrusions involved sophisticated phishing attempts with large language models creating deceptive messages. Although the hackers tried to mask their activity, the researcher’s defensive measures likely prevented compromise. The U.S. State Department denied immediate knowledge of any message spoofing connected to the case. This incident adds a new method to Russian espionage and hacking efforts against Western targets.