January 26, 2024 at 12:05PM
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate claims pro-Ukrainian hackers breached Russia’s Center for Space Hydrometeorology, wiping 2 petabytes of data. The agency is affiliated with Roscosmos, providing vital weather and disaster information. The attack reportedly paralyzed supercomputers and caused significant financial and research losses for Russia. This is not the first state-affiliated cyberattack from Ukraine.
Based on the meeting notes, here are the key takeaways:
1. Pro-Ukrainian hacktivists breached the Russian Center for Space Hydrometeorology, also known as “Planeta”, and wiped 2 petabytes of data, impacting its operations and research.
2. The attack affected supercomputers and years of unique research, and the damage is estimated to be $10,000,000.
3. The Ukrainian government has not explicitly stated its involvement in the attack but emphasizes the formidable challenge it poses for Planeta to overcome, especially given Russia’s limited capacity to restore sophisticated computer systems and software due to sanctions.
4. The cyberattack also impacted HVAC and power supply systems, as well as the network connection to the station on the island of Bolshevik.
5. This attack is not an isolated incident, as Ukraine has admitted to performing similar operations in the past aimed at sabotaging crucial agencies in Russia, such as the Federal Air Transport Agency and the Federal Taxation Service.
These takeaways highlight the significant impact of the cyberattack on Planeta and the broader context of state-affiliated hacking activities between Ukraine and Russia.