A Microsoft research report released on Wednesday claims Russian hackers are reportedly preparing a new wave of cyberattacks against the Ukraine. The cyber intrusion involves a “ransomwarestyle” threat to organizations serving mainland Ukraine’s supply lines.
The report also outlined a number of new insights into how Russian hackers are operating during the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the country’s future cyber strategies.
“Since January 2023, Microsoft has observed how Russian cyberthreat activity is adapting to increase intelligence gathering and destructive capabilities in Ukraine and its partners’ civilian and military assets,” the report said. One group “appears to be preparing for a new destructive campaign.”
According to Western security officials, the results come as Russia introduces new troops to the battlefield in eastern Ukraine. Last month, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov warned that Russia could step up military activity around the February 24 invasion year mark.
+ Relations with US hit rock bottom after drone episode, Russia says
The Russian Embassy in Washington has not yet commented. Some experts said that the tactic of combining physical military operations with cybernetic techniques is widespread and has been used in previous Russian military activities.
“Coupling kinetic attacks with efforts to disrupt or deny defenders’ ability to coordinate and utilize cyberdependent technology is not a new strategic approach,” reiterated Associate Director of the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative, Emma Schroeder.
In April last year, a group of hackers linked to the Russian military attempted to infiltrate Ukrainian substations in order to disrupt the country’s power supply. In 2015, the hacker collective was accused by US authorities of turning off the electricity of more than 250,000 people.