
Russian hackers hit Western firms sending aid to Ukraine, US intelligence says
Hackers working for Russian military intelligence targeted Western technology and logistics companies involved in shipping assistance to Ukraine, the US National Security Agency said.
The hackers were trying to obtain details about the type of assistance entering Ukraine and, as part of the effort, sought access to the feeds of internet-connected cameras near Ukrainian border crossings, according to the NSA's report on the cyberattack, which was issued late on Wednesday.
The cyber campaign sought to penetrate defence, transportation and logistics companies in several Western countries, including the US, as well as ports, airports and rail systems.
The report did not specify which types of aid Russia was surveilling, but Ukraine's allies have contributed significant amounts of military and humanitarian assistance since the war began.
More than 10,000 internet-connected cameras were targeted, including private devices and public traffic cameras near critical transportation points, such as ports, rail hubs or border crossings.
Most were in Ukraine, though some were in Romania, Poland and other eastern or central European countries.
Officials did not disclose details of the hackers' success or how long they remained unnoticed.
The activity detailed in the report began in 2022, the same year that Russia invaded Ukraine.
Russia is expected to continue its efforts to spy on aid shipments, and companies involved in aid logistics or shipments should be on guard, according to the report, which was issued jointly by the NSA, the FBI and security agencies in several allied nations.
'To defend against and mitigate these threats, at-risk entities should anticipate targeting,' the NSA said.
Authorities linked the activity to a Russian military intelligence unit dubbed 'Fancy Bear' that is well known for its past campaigns targeting the US and its allies.
The hackers used a variety of tactics to gain access, including spear phishing, which involves sending authentic-looking messages to a potential victim that contain links to harmful software or requests for sensitive information.
The Russian team also exploited security vulnerabilities in computer devices used at small and in-home offices, networks that often lack the security measures found in larger systems.
The hackers did not use particularly innovative techniques, according to Grant Geyer, chief strategy officer at the cybersecurity company Claroty.
Nevertheless, the sprawling yet carefully orchestrated effort gives the Russians a 'granular understanding' of the aid sent to Ukraine, he said.
'They have done detailed targeting across the entire supply chain to understand what equipment is moving, when and how — whether it's by aircraft, ship or rail,' Mr Geyer said.
Russia could use the information it obtained to hone its war planning, Mr Geyer said, or to plot further cyber or physical attacks on the supply chain to Ukraine.
Last autumn, US intelligence officials issued a public bulletin directing American defence companies and suppliers to increase security precautions following several acts of sabotage in Europe that officials have blamed on Russia.
The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond requests for comment.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


RTÉ News
42 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
International community 'failing to do enough for Gaza'
Civilians on boats should not be needed to highlight children starving in Gaza, and that the international community needed to "grow a backbone" and say "stop the genocide," the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has said. He also said that he hopes that by the next European Foreign Affairs Council meeting, the European Commission will come forward with proposals for actions and sanctions that can be taken, at a European level, against Israel in response. Speaking before Cabinet, Mr Harris said that he had heard a lot of media commentary that the Madleen flotilla was "symbolic" and he agreed that it was, but said that it represented "very important symbolism". "What it's actually highlighting is that there are people starving in Gaza today," he said. "You can have all the back and forth about Greta (Thunberg) or what the Israelis have said about her or what she has said about them, the point is this; there is a genocide happening. There are children starving today, and the only reason that this is happening is because Israel has a block on food entering Gaza," Mr Harris said. "Anything that can be done to make sure the eyes of the world are fixed on Gaza, at a time when the international community is failing to do enough for Gaza and for the children of Gaza, is a good and appropriate thing." "It shouldn't require flotillas, it shouldn't require civilians getting on boats and trying to highlight this, it should require the international community growing a backbone here and saying stop! Stop the genocide." "When I attend the next (European) Foreign Affairs Council meeting I really hope and expect that the European Commission won't just tell us that they are continuing to review the Association Agreement with Israel, I expect them to come forward with proposals, actions that we can actually take, sanctions that can be taken at a European level against Israel to say this genocide must stop," Mr Harris said. at least 17 Palestinians and wounded dozens of others as thousands of displaced people approached an aid distribution site of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in central Gaza, according to local health authorities. The Israeli military said they are looking into the incident.


Agriland
44 minutes ago
- Agriland
Heydon to meet EU commissioner for agriculture in Japan
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon is set to meet with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen in Japan this week. The meeting comes as Minister Heydon is currently leading a major agri-food government trade mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan. The trade mission, in collaboration with Bord Bia, and Enterprise Ireland, runs until Saturday (June 14) and will include political meetings, as well as market development engagement at a series of trade events with commercial representatives. The minister will be present for the Seoul Food, Korea's largest international exhibition for the food, drink, hotel, and food service industry. He will also attend Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan which is expected to attract more than 28 million visitors, with participation by 160 countries. Japan Commissioner Hansen is visiting Japan in a bid 'to strengthen agricultural ties' and showcase the EU agri-food sector at the Osaka World Expo. The visit comes as Japan remains the EU's fifth-largest market for agri-food exports, worth €8.3 billion in 2024. The trading relationship has been underpinned by the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement which is in force since 2019. In Tokyo, Commissioner Hansen will deliver a keynote speech at the EU-Japan Business Forum and will meet with members of Japan's House of Representatives. He will hold a series of meetings, including with Yoichi Watanabe, Vice-Minister for International Affairs; Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; and Hirofumi Takinami, State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. In Osaka, the commissioner will engage with ambassadors from EU member states. On Thursday (June 12), Commissioner Hansen will deliver a keynote speech at the EU Policy Event at Osaka World Expo 2025. During this speech, he is expected to highlight EU food excellence and the EU's commitment to sustainable and innovative agriculture. Alongside the expo, the commissioner will meet with President of Finland Alexander Stubb, and the Irish and Lithuanian agriculture ministers, Martin Heydon and Ignas Hoffman. Hansen will also have discussions with the State Secretary for Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of The Netherlands, Jean Rummenie.


RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Two Israeli government ministers sanctioned by UK
Two Israeli government ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have been sanctioned by the UK. Mr Ben-Gvir, the security minister, and Mr Smotrich, the finance minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government, will both face a travel ban and see their assets frozen. The move comes as the UK and other Western nations seek to ramp up pressure on Israel's government amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Israel's foreign affairs minister Gideon Sa'ar said it was "outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures". Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir both belong to right-wing parties which help to prop up Mr Netanyahu's fragile coalition government. Both have been criticised for their hardline stance on the war in Gaza. Mr Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, while Mr Ben-Gvir has called for Gaza's people to be resettled from the territory.