Ukraine's intelligence completes major cyberattack on Russian financial sector
Photo: Ukraine's intelligence completed major cyber attack on Russian banks (freepik com)
Ukrainian intelligence carried out a massive cyberattack on Russia's financial sector and government resources. The attack lasted for a week.
According to RBC-Ukraine's sources in the special services, on the evening of July 30, cyber experts from the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense (GUR) completed one of the largest DDoS attacks in history on Russia's internet infrastructure. They managed to hit critically important resources and gain access to a large volume of confidential data.
Sources in Ukrainian intelligence report that the attack lasted continuously for a week and affected the online services of all major Russian banks, including the Central Bank, telecommunications service providers, national payment systems, social networks and messengers, government resources, and dozens of other services.
Sources emphasize that all attacked resources were in some way involved in supporting or funding Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.
The affected entities include VTB Bank, Alfa Bank, Sberbank, Raiffeisen Bank, RSHB Bank, AK Bars, Rosbank, Gazprombank, T-Bank, iBank, Dom.rf Bank, and the Bank of Russia. On the last day of the attack, the resources of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Federal Tax Service were also affected.
As of 7:00 PM on July 30, the Russians had not yet managed to restore the proper functioning of major banking and payment systems, mobile operators, social networks, and internet providers. Disruptions in the work of the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Federal Tax Service websites are still observed.
Russian media described this cyber strike as "probably the most powerful in history," "carpet-bombing hacker attacks," and "a major cyber offensive." The results of the GUR operation were felt by millions of users across Russia. According to hostile cyber analysts, given the success achieved by Ukrainian hackers, predictions for the impact of future similar attacks are grim.
"At the moment, we can breathe a sigh of relief and declare the operation's completion. Thanks to everyone who participated, helped, and supported. Of course, this is just a prelude to even more exciting events. We advise the Russians to start digging a grave for their digital infrastructure. It’s time for the enemy to recall the idea of an isolated, purely Russian 'CheburNet' with moats, digital guards, and firewalls around the perimeter. See you in the next act of this thrilling story," commented a source in the GUR.
Other details
RBC-Ukraine, citing sources in the special services, reported that on July 23, GUR cyber specialists began a special operation against Russia's financial sector. As a result of the cyberattack, the operation of payment systems, mobile banking apps, personal accounts, and public transportation payment systems in Russia became complicated.
Later, popular messengers, internet providers, telecommunications service providers, social networks, and several applications were attacked.
It was also reported that Russians experienced problems withdrawing cash from ATMs.
