A mobile gas turbine generator, which was turned on due to recent power outages after pylons carrying electricity were blown up, is shown in the settlement of Stroganovka, Simferopol district of Crimea, Nov. 22, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS/PAVEL REBROV
IBTimes: Did Russia Kill Ukraine's Electricity? Cyberattack Linked To Power Outage Has Global Implications
It wasn’t a normal power outage when the lights abruptly went out for tens of thousands of western Ukrainians in and around the regional capital city of Ivano-Frankivsk two weeks ago. The short-lived blackout was caused by malware, making it the first known case of a power outage induced by a cyberattack, experts from several security firms who examined the code confirmed late Monday.
Ukrainian officials ultimately blamed the hack on Russia (the two have been in armed conflict since April 2014), and the Kremlin has conspicuously refused to comment on the situation. While the exact source of the Dec. 23 electricity cut – which lasted up to six hours in some areas – may be difficult to prove, the outage marked a major cybersecurity escalation global governments have long feared. Hacking credit cards and government information may be increasingly common, but the attack against a power-grid infrastructure has created a new sense of urgency for greater investment regionally and internationally to prevent cyberattacks that target essential services.
More News On Reports That Russia Launched A Cyber Attack Against Ukraine That Shut-Down Part Of Its Electrical Grid
Russian hackers suspected in attack that blacked out parts of Ukraine -- Washington Post
Experts: Ukraine Utility Cyberattack Wider Than Reported -- VOA
U.S. officials look toward Russia while investigating cyberattack on Ukraine’s power grid - report -- Washington Times
Ukrainian blackout caused by hackers that attacked media company, researchers say -- The Guardian
Malware Found Inside Downed Ukrainian Grid Management Points to Cyberattack -- Motherboard
Ukraine blackout is a cyberattack milestone -- CNET
U.S. Suspects Russia Behind Cyberattack On Ukraine Power Grid -- RFE
Cyberattack On Ukrainian Power Grid Looks To Some Like An Apocalyptic First -- RFE
Why Ukraine's Hacker-Caused Power Outage is So Scary for the United States -- Peter Rugg, Inverse
Experts: Cyber Attack in Ukraine a Doomsday Scenario -- Washington Free Beacon
Russian hackers are suspected in a cyber attack that caused a huge blackout in Ukraine -- Quartz
