Ukrainian data claims large-scale cyberattack on Russian banks

ATMs were down across Russia on Saturday. Kyiv Post reports. According to the information provided to the newspaper, Russian customers were unable to withdraw cash without blocking their payment cards.

The problems are said to be part of a major cyber attack against Russia that has been ongoing for several days, starting early Tuesday.

A source within the Ukrainian intelligence service told the newspaper that it was an “unprecedented attack by cyber specialists”, directed directly from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

According to the source, the attack “increased in strength” during Saturday.

Ukrainian data The attack was primarily aimed at the Russian banking sector, the newspaper wrote. Since Tuesday, the operation has, among other things, frozen banking payment systems, blocked payments on public transport, and disrupted Russia's mobile network and social media, the newspaper wrote.

Several major Ukrainian media outlets reported on how the attack took place over the week. All point to the Ukrainian military intelligence service as responsible.

Ukrinform writes that Russians across the country are having trouble logging into their bank accounts and making transactions.

Wednesday referred to Kyiv Independent to a military source The attack was “ongoing and far from complete,” he said. By then, several sectors, including air traffic and payment systems, had been affected, and Russian media reported disruptions at several major banks. Rosselkhoz Bank confirmed to Russia’s state-run Interfax news agency that it had been the victim of an attack that disrupted its online services.

Later, a whole series of Russian banks that were affected have now emerged. Among other things, VTB Bank wrote in a statement that it is trying to cope with a “large-scale attack planned from abroad,” Ukrinform reports.

The Ukrainian official side did not comment on the attack.