Ukrainian Security Service Nabs Russian Hacker Planning Cyberattacks on Government Websites

25 January, 2024 SSU officers on mission. Photo credits: SSU The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) detained a Russian hacker in the Kharkiv region.

According to the SSU, he planned to launch cyberattacks on Ukrainian government websites and conduct reconnaissance to target the city of Kharkiv. The detainee was a member of the Russian hacker group 'People's Cyber Army of the Russian Federation', which is run by the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation. At the time of his detention, the Russian invaders launched two missile attacks on Kharkiv using the coordinates provided by this hacker.

These strikes were aimed at civilian infrastructure and one of the local hospitals. In addition, the detainee carried out reconnaissance activities to identify temporary locations of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the region.

First of all, he was interested in the possible combat positions of artillery and air defense systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, the hacker was fulfilling the FSB's task of preparing a series of DDoS attacks on the websites of Ukrainian state-owned enterprises and government agencies. Due to counter-sabotage actions, SSU officers detained the hacker.

He was a local resident of Kharkiv, an IT specialist who was recruited by FSB agents in one of the Telegram channels.

The detainee's correspondence with a liaison from the Russian FSB. Photo credits: SSU

During the search of the detainee's apartment, the SSU seized three mobile phones, a laptop, and flash drives, which he used in subversive activities in favor of Russia. The detainee is currently in custody.

He faces up to 12 years in prison. As Militarnyi previously reported, the counter-intelligence of the SSU detained a Russian military intelligence agent who was adjusting enemy missile attacks on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Russian agent was performing a task of the Russian military intelligence to adjust the strikes of the S-300 system against the temporary deployment of the Ukrainian Defense Forces units in the Vuhledar sector.

To do this, in between shelling, he walked around the area and recorded the places of temporary deployment of personnel and equipment of Ukrainian defenders. The Russian agent was taking photos and videos with geo-referencing, after which he transmitted the information via messenger to the Russian special service. SSU officers detained the Russian agent near the frontline, where he was conducting reconnaissance.

According to the investigation, the defendant was a resident of Vuhledar, a former head of one of the departments of the Donetsk Regional Customs.