A cyberattack, believed to have been launched by the Ukraine Cyber Alliance Group, is reported to have severely disrupted the entire computer network and data infrastructure of Russian Internet Service Provider, Nodex. The company issued a statement confirming that 90% of its systems, including documents and applications, were wiped out in what appears to be a malware attack.
Fortunately, Nodex has a disaster recovery plan in place, utilizing VMBackup and Veeam Backup software stored on Hewlett Packard Enterprise servers. This ensures that all data is 100% retrievable, and aside from the temporary downtime, the company is not expected to face significant long-term repercussions from the attack.
The Ukraine Cyber Alliance Group is a collective of hackers reportedly funded by the Ukrainian government. Formed to combat cyber threats against Ukraine, the group has increasingly taken to social media to proclaim its role as a pro-military force. Its mission involves targeting and disrupting the IT infrastructure of adversaries as the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow intensifies.
Nodex is currently in the process of recovering its data and applications, with efforts to restore communication and customer service support expected to be completed by early next week. The company has not provided specific timelines for when the full recovery of its network will be finished.
It remains unclear whether this attack was a response to the December 2023 disruption of Ukraine-based telecom provider Kyivstar, which resulted in a communication and internet blackout for over 25 million users. The attack, known as Operation Kyivstar, left the company’s systems inoperable until January 2024.
In recent months, the conflict between Ukraine, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Russia has escalated into a cyberwar. Russia has been targeting nations supporting Ukraine, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia, with cyberattacks aimed at compromising critical infrastructure such as power grids and water supplies, causing severe disruptions.
As the war enters its fourth year on February 22, 2025, many hope for a resolution through peace talks to bring an end to the ongoing conflict that has already lasted more than three years.
