Hackers linked to Russian spy agency claim cyberattack on Ukrainian cell network
LONDON, Dec 13 (Reuters) – A hacking group believed by Kyiv to be affiliated with Russian military intelligence claimed responsibility on Wednesday for a cyberattack that knocked Ukraine’s biggest mobile network operator offline.
Tuesday’s attack on Kyivstar, which has 24.3 million mobile subscribers and more than 1.1 million home internet users, knocked out services, damaged IT infrastructure, and silenced air raid alert systems in some parts of Ukraine.
A group of activist hackers, or “hacktivists”, called Solntsepyok said in a post on the Telegram messaging app that it carried out the cyberattack, and published screenshots appearing to show that the hackers had accessed Kyivstar’s servers.
Russia has repeatedly denied being behind such cyberattacks.
Ukraine’s State Service of Special Communications and Information Protectorate (SSSCIP) said in a statement it was investigating the incident with the SBU domestic intelligence agency.
“Responsibility for the cyberattack was taken by one of the Russian groups whose activities are associated with the main directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” it said, referring to Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency.
“This once again confirms Russia’s use of cyberspace as one of the domains of the war against Ukraine,” it said, without naming the group that has claimed responsibility.
Source: Reuters