On July 23, a large-scale cyberattack organized by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine began, which paralyzed the work of key banking institutions and payment systems throughout Russia.
This was reported by the interlocutors of the GUR.
Clients of the largest banks, such as Sberbank, Alfa-Bank, Raiffeisen Bank and VTB, have faced problems or inability to use online banking and digital services.
In addition, the work of the Russian national payment systems, the SBP Rapid Payment System and the National Payment Card System, was blocked or significantly disrupted.
The cyberattack also affected mobile operators, which led to interruptions in mobile communications and the Internet: Beeline, Megafon, Tele2, and Rostelecom were affected.
The Russian authorities recognized the cyberattack, calling it the work of “politically motivated hackers.” Ukrainian intelligence notes that the attack is still ongoing and is far from over.
Representatives of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine commented on the situation with humor, noting that in this way they are helping Russia to “return to its roots” and abandon “hostile liberal values” such as online services and the Internet. They jokingly suggested that Russians should switch to wooden counters, paper subscription books, and rock accounting paintings.
Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 24/07/2024