According to Kiev intelligence services, the Chinese government’s hackers struck a few hours before Putin’s tanks crossed the border. If confirmed, it would demonstrate cooperation between the two autocracies, but also Russian difficulties in the fifth domain (in addition to those on the ground).
Did China know about Ukraine’s plans to invade, did it just ask Russia to wait for the end of the Beijing Olympics so as not to spoil the party?
China answered yes to requests for military and economic aid that came from Russia, also in light of the “boundless” friendship signed by the leaders Xi Jinping and Wladimir Putin Three weeks before the attack?
Adding to the various questions about China’s involvement in the war in Ukraine, which have fueled doubts about the superpower’s mediation goals, is another: China conducted a largescale cyberattack on structures, even military and nuclear weapons in Ukraine a few days before the attack ?
According to the British newspaper Times, yes. More than 600 websites of the Kyiv Ministry of Defense and other institutions (such as the National Bank) have suffered thousands of hacking attacks coordinated by the Chinese government, the newspaper reveals, citing sources from Ukraine’s security agency SBU. The Chinese attacks reportedly began before the end of the Winter Olympics and peaked on February 23, the day before Russian troops and tanks crossed the border. The goal of the hackers was to steal data and find ways to shut down or stop services.
Russia also tried to shut down Ukraine’s computer networks and compromise government websites before invading, the Times recalls. But the SBU said these attacks stemmed from the People’s Liberation Army cyber units in tools and methods.
“The National Cyber Security Center is investigating these allegations with our international partners,” said a UK government spokesman. US intelligence sources, on the other hand, stated that information about a Chinese cyberattack on Ukrainian government structures before the Russian invasion was accurate.
Sam CrannyEvans, an intelligence expert at the Royal United Services Institute, commented on the story to the Times: “The attacks suggest some degree of collusion between Russia and China, which could prompt a review of assessments of the nature of relations between Russia and China.” and the will of the two nations to support each other in military operations. It may also stoke questions about what other support Beijing will provide for Russia’s operation in Ukraine and the risk that this will prolong the conflict.
Speaking of capabilities, CrannyEvans continued: “It is interesting that the Russian security apparatus involved Chinese actors in this operation; They tend to be quite capable and in the preconflict period devoted significant resources to the intelligence operation in Ukraine. As if to suggest that the Russian armed forces are not up to speed even in cyber warfare.