Ukraine accuses Russian hackers of carrying out news agency data-wiping strike

Ukraine accuses Russian hackers of a damaging malware attack on its national news agency, Ukrinform, on January 17, 2023, attributing it to the Sandworm hacking group associated with Russian armed forces. Despite the attack causing destructive effects, the threat was quickly contained, allowing Ukrinform to resume operations.

The Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine (CERT-UA) argues that a damaging malware attack on the national news agency Ukrinform on 17 January 2023 was carried out by the Sandworm hacking group (said to be associated with Russian armed forces).

The State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection (SSSCIP) of Ukraine announced that ‘according to preliminary data, provided by CERT-UA specialists, the attack has caused certain destructive effects on the agency’s information infrastructure, but the threat has been swiftly localized nonetheless. This enabled Ukrinform to continue its operation.’