Russia used doorbell cameras to track Ukraine arms, report says

Russian intelligence allegedly hacked internet-connected security cameras across Europe to monitor military aid shipments bound for Ukraine, according to Dutch intelligence agencies, exposing a new front in Moscow's covert campaign against NATO support for Kyiv.

The operation reportedly targeted civilian surveillance systems overlooking military transport routes, allowing Russian operatives to track the movement of weapons and equipment without deploying conventional reconnaissance assets.

Civilian cameras turned into spy network

The Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) said Kremlin-linked hackers compromised internet-connected cameras positioned near key logistics routes.

According to the agencies, organisations whose cameras overlooked military transport corridors have now been warned after investigators uncovered what they described as a large-scale Russian intelligence operation. The activity is said to have affected the Netherlands, other NATO member states and Ukraine.

Weak security opened the door

Investigators said many of the compromised devices were vulnerable because they relied on default passwords, outdated software or factory settings that had never been changed.

The agencies noted that once an internet-connected camera is identified, gaining access can be relatively straightforward if basic cyber security measures have not been implemented. Consumer video doorbells and other IP cameras have become increasingly common due to their low cost and widespread broadband access.

Modern warfare moves into civilian networks

Security experts say hacked surveillance cameras have become an increasingly valuable intelligence tool because they provide real-time views of roads, buildings and transport hubs while remaining largely unnoticed by their owners.

Unlike drones or satellites, compromised ground-based cameras can continuously monitor specific locations at minimal cost, offering detailed intelligence on military movements and supply routes.

Cyber campaign continues to widen

The reported operation forms part of a broader pattern of Russian cyber activity targeting Ukraine and its allies. Recent investigations have linked Russian hacking groups to attacks on government email systems, Ukrainian military networks and European diplomatic missions.

Ukrainian authorities have also worked with the FBI to uncover alleged attempts by Russian intelligence services to compromise the messaging accounts of officials in Ukraine, Europe and the United States, underlining the growing role of cyber espionage alongside conventional warfare.

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