Ukrainian IT Army Attacks Russian Banking System, Disabling Mir payment System
The Ukrainian IT Army initiated a significant attack on the Russian banking system, targeting the infrastructure of the National Payment Card System (NPCS) and the operator of Mir cards.
This led to the disruption of services for major financial institutions such as VTB, Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank, Beeline, MTS, Rostelecom, Gazprombank, Megafon, SBP, NSPK, EIRC, and several smaller services. The Ukrainian IT Army claims that this attack was one of the largest DDoS attacks in history.
Additionally, they targeted the Russian government and local websites and caused disruptions in the metro systems of Moscow and Kazan by attacking the Troika public transport fare payment system. These events have raised significant concerns about the cybersecurity landscape and its potential impact on critical infrastructure.
The attack while generating significant buzz online, has sparked a curious mix of reactions. Some, echoing the familiar anxieties surrounding digital disruptions, wonder about potential delays akin to those experienced in Bitcoin or bank transfers. Others, dismissing the threat with a touch of cynicism, point to the continued normalcy of daily life, questioning the attack’s true impact.
Ukrainian IT Army And Poland Jointly Counter Russian Cyberattacks
Ukraine and Poland have recently signed an agreement to enhance their collaboration on cybersecurity. Officials have issued warnings about potential cyberattacks by hackers linked to the Kremlin.
The two countries have agreed to work together to combat cybercrime and share their expertise in countering cyber threats. Poland, as Ukraine’s closest neighbor, has welcomed over 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees, including thousands of tech specialists, due to the ongoing war.
Because of its close relationship with Ukraine and significant financial support for the country, Poland has been targeted by Russian hackers. Cyberattacks on Poland have increased following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and in July, a pro-Kremlin hacking group known as Killnet successfully disrupted Poland’s key government websites.
Ukraine and Poland both recognize the need for joint efforts to address cyber threats, especially given their shared border and the similar types of cyber attacks they face. They plan to collaborate on cybersecurity conferences and work together to combat the spread of Russian disinformation in the media.