Ransomware and Cyberattacks Hit German Firms, Including Alleged DragonForce Data Theft
A series of cyber incidents affected German organizations, including an alleged DragonForce ransomware data theft from insurer HanseMerkur. DragonForce claimed to have stolen nearly 97 GB of internal corporate data and leaked materials described as including financial documents (e.g., invoices, tax notes, vouchers) and documents referencing HanseMerkur’s UAE partner Emirates Insurance; HanseMerkur had not publicly confirmed the claim at the time of reporting. Reporting also noted DragonForce’s broader activity and claimed partnerships in the ransomware ecosystem.
Separately, the Buhlmann Group was named by the Akira ransomware group, which claimed theft of 55 GB of sensitive data and threatened publication; Buhlmann indicated a US subsidiary was impacted and stated German/EU entities and their systems were not affected. In another incident, beverage bottler Romina Mineralbrunnen reported a cyberattack that left it unreachable by phone/email and caused a production stoppage; authorities were reported to be investigating, with no confirmed details yet on initial access, malware type, or data theft.
Timeline
Feb 5, 2026
DragonForce claims breach of HanseMerkur and data leak
Reports said the DragonForce ransomware gang allegedly stole and leaked nearly 97 GB of internal corporate data from German insurer HanseMerkur, including financial documents and files referencing partner Emirates Insurance. HanseMerkur had not publicly acknowledged the claim at the time of reporting.
Feb 5, 2026
Buhlmann says only U.S. subsidiary systems were affected
A Buhlmann Group spokesperson said the impacted IT system was used only in the United States and that the German headquarters and other group entities, especially in Germany and the EU, were not affected. The company said no data outside the U.S. location was at risk.
Feb 5, 2026
Akira claims ransomware attack on Buhlmann Group
The Akira ransomware group posted on the darknet that it had stolen sensitive information from the Buhlmann Group and threatened to publish 55 GB of allegedly exfiltrated data. The claim indicated a ransomware incident affecting the steel trader.
Feb 4, 2026
Police begin investigating attack on Romina Mineralbrunnen
Police in Reutlingen were reported to be investigating the cyberattack against Romina Mineralbrunnen. The investigation was disclosed in media reporting after the company's production outage became public.
Feb 4, 2026
Romina Mineralbrunnen hit by cyberattack, production halted
Beverage bottler Romina Mineralbrunnen GmbH in Reutlingen-Rommelsbach was struck by a cyberattack that brought its production facilities to a standstill. The company said it was unreachable by phone and email following the incident, while it remained unclear whether any data had been stolen.
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