Ukrainian media outlets targeted by Russian hackers amid military pressures

Targeting of Media Organizations

Ukrainian media outlets are facing intensified cyber threats from Russia, as identified by the SBU. Volodymyr Karastelyov noted that these organizations have become "one of the priority targets" of Russian hackers during the ongoing conflict.

Details of Recent Attacks

Karastelyov revealed previous incidents targeting Ukrainian television broadcasters, including a large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack earlier this year. This attack aimed to overwhelm a national channel with up to 200,000 requests per minute but was successfully repelled before causing significant disruption.

In another incident, hackers attempted to take control of a leading television group's platform to broadcast propaganda as if it were from a legitimate Ukrainian source. This was achieved through phishing campaigns targeting the broadcaster's systems.

Overall Cyber Threat Landscape

Since Russia's full-scale invasion began, the SBU has reported neutralizing over 16,000 cyberattacks against various sectors, including media. The State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection (SSSCIP) recorded more than 200 successful cyber incidents specifically targeting media since the invasion began. These incidents included tactics like phishing, DDoS attacks, and the defacement of websites.

Physical Attacks on Media

In addition to cyber threats, Ukrainian media organizations are also suffering from physical attacks related to ongoing military operations, such as missiles and drone strikes. This dual threat complicates the media landscape in Ukraine, amplifying the distress these organizations face during the conflict.