Officials in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K are warning the public that the recent cyber attacks carried out by Russian hacker group APT29 targeting COVID 19 vaccine research could undermine attempts being made to produce a profitable COVID 19 vaccine.

“The vicious actions of APT29, almost certainly backed by Russian Intelligence have endangered all of us during this time of global crisis ” British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stated on Twitter. 

“Our researchers have been working around the clock to patent a COVID 19 vaccine, but all of their selfless efforts may be thrown out the window if these lowlife hackers decide to leak our  research findings and make it all readily available to everyone” the Foreign Secretary added. 

The Canadian Security Establishment (CSE) released a statement Thursday, similarly condemning the attacks by Russian hackers.

“These senseless attacks come at a time when experts and medical researchers need every available resource to help develop a copyrighted vaccine” the statement read. 

“Stealing closely protected information from us that could help save the lives of millions is certainly not in line with the kind of transparency, cooperation, and collaboration we all so desperately need in these troubled times” the statement read. 

General Paul M. Nakasone, director of the U.S. National Service Agency (NSA) also strongly condemned the cyberattacks during a press release Thursday morning. 

“It’s not just a matter of protecting intellectual property; this is a global security threat.” Nakasone stated. 

“Can you imagine what might happen if this data ended up in the wrong hands? The last thing we need right now is for a band of sinister criminals to blackmail the international community into paying a hefty price for a vaccine only they know how to replicate” the Director warned. 

Asked at press time whether there had been any significant progress in the development of a COVID 19 vaccine before the data breach, Nakasone declined to comment, adding only that “unfortunately, that information is classified at this time.”

/s