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The main telephone operator in Ukraine is hit by a massive cyber attack

2023-12-12 18:04:10, Aktualitet CNA

The services of the largest mobile phone operator in Ukraine, Kivstar, have been disrupted as a result of a major cyber attack on December 12.

The hacker attack caused major disruptions in communications across the country and left millions of people without phone and mobile internet services in the war-torn country.

"This morning we were the target of a powerful hacker attack. The attack caused technical breakdowns that made communication through mobile phones and access to the Internet impossible," Kivstar said in a press release.

Kivstar chief executive Oleksandr Komarov told Ukrainian television that the network had to be shut down in order to prevent, he said, "enemy access" to it.

It is reported that as a result of the cyber attack, more than 24 million users were left without internet and telephone services.

“[The attack] severely damaged the [IT] infrastructure and limited access. "We were not able to fight it on a virtual level, so we turned off Kivstar physically in order to limit the enemy's access," said Komarov.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine, are dealing with the incident, Komarov said, adding:

"This is war, not only on the battlefield, but also in virtual spaces and, unfortunately, we are being attacked in this war."

The Security Service of Ukraine confirmed to RFE/RL that it has launched an investigation into the cyber attack, saying it is investigating "unsanctioned interference in social network activities, creation of malware [malicious software], breach of integrity territory of Ukraine, high treason, sabotage, waging an aggressive war, violation of the law of war and participation in the activities of a criminal group".

It is reported that Russia has repeatedly attempted to use cyber attacks against Ukraine since it launched its unprovoked invasion in February 2022./ REL