Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino)
China launched a major cyberattack on Ukraine’s military and nuclear facilities in the days leading up to the Russian invasion.according to Ukrainian intelligence reports.
According to these reports that have been received and Published by the British newspaper The times, More than 600 websites of the Defense Ministry in Kyiv and other institutions suffered from thousands of hacking attempts coordinated by the Chinese governmentaccording to the Security Service of Ukraine, SBU.
The Spy Agency revealed that in an obvious sign Complicit in the invasion, the Chinese attacks began before the end of the Winter Olympics and peaked on February 23the day before Russian troops and tanks crossed the border.
This was announced by the SBU The attacks aimed to infiltrate targets ranging from border guards to the National Bank and Railway Authority. They are designed to steal data and explore ways to shut down or disrupt civilian and defense infrastructure.
A person uses a laptop, in a file photo (EFE/Sascha Steinbach)
Russia also tried to shut down Ukraine’s computer networks and compromise government websites before the invasion, but the SBU said so Chinese attacks could be distinguished because the tools and methods were characteristic of the People’s Liberation Army cyber warfare unit.
US intelligence sources, for their part, pointed this out Information about a Chinese cyber attack on Ukrainian government facilities before the Russian invasion was correct. The Chinese embassy did not respond to a request for comment.
Beijing has refused to condemn President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraineand analysts believe that if this stance persists, it could be punished with Western sanctions.
if the president Xi received Putin at the start of the Winter Olympics in Beijing Last February 4, the two men signed a joint statement stating this Relations between the two countries were “boundless” and “had no ‘prohibited’ areas of cooperation.” Xi later denied asking Putin to delay the invasion until after the Olympics.
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping (REUTERS)
Shortly thereafter, according to the SBU, the Ukrainian government noticed an increase in Computer Network Exploitation (CNE) attacks, which are generally used for reconnaissance and espionage. The agency said it had a “Increase in activity against our country’s networks in mid-February with active operations of the CNE carried out daily”. It peaked on February 23, the day before the invasion, with Russian and Chinese cyberattacks.
The attack had key military targets, such as the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service; and public services, including the National Bank and the Ministry of Finance.
The timing of the attack seems to confirm this Moscow had already informed Beijing of its invasion plansCyber security experts said.
“Looks like they didn’t mind being seentheir goal was to get in as quickly as possible and get what they needed.”said Tom Hegel, senior threat researcher at SentinelOne, a US-based cybersecurity company.
These incidents would explain that Western diplomatic efforts for Beijing last month, as Russian bombs and artillery bombarded Ukrainian cities, leveling Mariupol and killing thousands. Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, called his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on March 5 to urge Beijing to distance itself from the war.
Then American rhetoric and the President hardened Joe Biden, in a call with Xi on March 22, warned China of “serious consequences” if it provides material support to Russia.
On Friday, European leaders held a summit with China for the first time in two years, urging Beijing to choose between its western trading partners or its geopolitical ally in the Kremlin. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, relayed the bloc’s concerns over Ukraine to Xi.
US President Joe Biden (REUTERS)
Steve Tsang, director of the China Soas Institute, said: “The number of people China has engaged in cyber operations is enormous. Many of them belong to the People’s Liberation Army, which is part of the party [Comunista Chino]. “We all believe they have a cyber force attacking countries. When they work in Ukraine, they support the Russians. That means they are potentially sanctioned.” he added.
Sam Cranny-Evans, intelligence and surveillance expert at the Royal United Services Institute, a think tank, said: “The attacks suggest some level of collusion between Russia and China, which could lead to a revised assessment of the nature of the relationship between the two countries. and the willingness of both to support each other in military operations. You can also ask questions about it What other support will Beijing give to Russia’s operation in Ukraine and the possibility of a prolongation of the conflict?
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