Anonymous Exploits Flashing Pro-Ukranian Messages.
Anonymous hackers took the responsibility for the attack on Russian State TV channels.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was warned of unprecedented cyber attacks on Russia’s critical assets, businesses and organizations. Anonymous, the online group of hackers, are openly supporting Ukraine over the conflict.
As the war entered its 12th day, the group has claimed that they had infiltrated Russian TV. To prove the claim, they shared footage of devastation in Ukraine which the Russian citizens could watch. The hacktivists are employing all kinds of tactics, carrying out attacks on government websites, banks, businesses and media. These include DDoS, defacement of websites, interruptions in TV transmissions and displaying of pro-Ukraine messages on these platforms.
The footage was broadcast on pro-Russian channels. It showed the devastation in graphic detail and highlighted the loss of civilian lives and extensive damage to property and infrastructure. The video beamed a written message that addressed Russians and told them that the war was incited by Russia’s authoritative regime headed by Vladimir Putin and not by ordinary citizens. The purpose of this activity, the message further added, was to inform the general public of the true situation because the Russian government is blocking all news about war from reaching the common man.
The footage along with the message was first shown on several pro-Kremlin channels. Later on, according to the twitter account of Anonymous, all Russian state TV channels showed it when the group breached every channel.
The Russian radio channels are also reportedly affected by the activities of the group. The group made their way on the airwaves of Russian stations and broadcast Ukarnian national anthem. And the activities extended to Russian military radio as well.
After attacking the airwaves and TV channels, the hackers group went on to hamper the operations of an EV charging station in Moscow. The service of the station was immediately interrupted. As a result of the attack, messages against Putin and his regime began to flash. Images in support of Ukranian President Zelenskyy together with “Glory to Ukraine” could be seen on the screen.
The activities of Anonymous did not stop at that. The group claimed that it had attacked Russian Linux terminal and gas control system located somewhere in north of Russian Federation. Observers believe that Anonymous managed to make changes to the dates and they could also have induced variation in the gas pressure which may have resulted in catastrophe. However, prompt human intervention stopped this eventuality.
In yet another campaign, Anonymous took down the website of Chechen government which is an ally of President Putin. Chechen leader, Kadyrov, has deployed his armed forces along the border of Ukraine to show his solidarity with Russia.
The extent of war can be gauged by a tweet coming from Hanna Liubakova: “In the Mykolaiv region, a 78 year old man wanted to enroll in the territorial defense. Because of his age, he was refused to join. So he went to the checkpoint and threw a Molotov cocktail into the Grad multiple rocket launcher. The installation burned down. You won’t break the spirit.”
Earlier, in the wee hours of Feb 25, the aforesaid group posted an announcement: “The Anonymous collective is officially in cyber war against the Russian government. #Anonymous. #Ukraine.” Soon after this, the group took down Kremlin’s official website and warned that more attacks targeting Russia’s key installations and infrastructure would follow soon.
On the opposite side, the Russian government labeled the campaign as ‘fake news’ and ‘false information’ about the war. According to The Independent, anyone who is caught with links to such propaganda would face a fine that may be as high as $15,000 and sentence that can lodge the culprit for as long as 16 years.
The Anonymous group has vowed to wage war against Russian government and its interests that these incidents will continue until the conflict is peacefully resolved.
