FILE - In this March 16, 2020, file photo, a subject receives a shot in the first-stage safety study clinical trial of a potential vaccine by Moderna for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle.
Credit: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Britain, the United States and Canada are accusing Russia of trying to steal information from researchers seeking a COVID-19 vaccine.

The three nations alleged Thursday that hacking group APT29, also known as Cozy Bear and believed to be part of the Russian intelligence service, is attacking academic and pharmaceutical coronavirus research institutions involved in vaccine development.

They say the persistent and ongoing attacks are seen as an effort to steal intellectual property, rather than to disrupt research. Britain’s National Cybersecurity Centre made the announcement, coordinated with authorities in the U.S. and Canada.

It’s also unclear whether Russian President Vladimir Putin knew about the vaccine hacking, but officials believe such intelligence would be highly prized.

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