This is based on a pattern that Microsoft observed in recent times, where Sandworm – a Russian intelligence hacking group, has constantly been hitting Ukraine’s infrastructure. Warning to be prepared, Microsoft says such attacks would increase during the winter period against all other NATO nations.
Targeting the Supporting Nations in War
Eight months into the war and still ongoing, neither Ukraine nor Russia seem to settle down anytime soon. While they continue to fight, Russia is following a hybrid model of attacking – with both military weapons on the ground and cyberattacks against Ukraine. Microsoft reports that the latter has been growing over time, with a new pattern they observed revealing the rise of Sandworm attacks. Sandworm is a Russian military hacking group that has a history of over two decades! The group in the past was accused of hitting the critical infrastructure of Ukraine, causing nationwide blackouts and wiping off sensitive data. Microsoft warns that Sandworm attacks are accompanied by a propaganda campaign to undermine Western support for Ukraine.
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) December 3, 2022 As the end goal of this campaign is to disrupt the supply of aid and weaponry to Ukraine, all the NATO nations helping Ukraine will also be targeted. Thus, Microsoft warns all the organizations in NATO nations (including Ukraine) to be prepared to defend, saying that such cyberattacks will increase in the coming days. This is the second time Microsoft is warning about the rise of cyberattacks against Ukraine, with the previous one common in June this year – where several Russian intelligence agencies have ramped up their efforts to hit Ukraine’s critical organizations for stealing war-sensitive information.
