The Dutch defense minister said on Sunday that the Netherlands was engaged in an "information war" with Russia after foiling an electronic attack in April in Russia, Dutch radio and television NPO reported.
The Dutch intelligence service announced in early October that in April four Russian agents were preparing an electronic attack on the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague.
Russian agents stopped an electronic-stuffed vehicle in a hotel garage close to the headquarters of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to hack its information system, the Dutch authorities said.
Asked if the current situation between the Netherlands and Russia could be described as an "electronic war," the minister replied: "Yes, that is the situation."
Moscow has vehemently denied that it wanted to pirate the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), saying Monday that the removal of the four Russians was a "misunderstanding". Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke of a "routine flight" the four were carrying out, without giving further details.
"People are trying in different ways to interfere with our daily lives and influence our democracy," Belvede said.
The attempt came as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was conducting an investigation into the poisoning of the former Russian spy Sergey Scrippal, which London says were agents of Russian military intelligence. Moscow has categorically denied any involvement in the case.
The organization is also investigating an alleged chemical attack in Douma, Syria, which Western countries have backed to Syrian-backed Syrian government forces.
The defense minister said her ministry had increased its budget for information warfare after the events.
"We are investing more money in the intelligence services to see what happens and take measures if necessary," she said.
The Dutch defense minister offered the NATO alliance the use of "information soldiers" Dutch, noting that the proposal is being studied "carefully".
