Hackers target Ukraine's state news agency Ukrinform, replace website with anti-Ukrainian messages
The hackers replaced the agency's homepage with the word ZELENET, an image of a crossed-out Ukrainian flag, and a link to a Telegram channel. Ukrinform's account on X was also renamed ZELENET, while its biography was changed to include a pro-Russian slogan.
Hackers infiltrated Ukraine's state news agency, Ukrinform, on November 11, replacing its website's homepage with anti-Ukrainian images and infiltrating its X social media account. Ukrinform reported the incident to authorities, stating that experts were examining the attack's impact and working to restore services. The hackers altered the homepage to display the word "ZELENET," an upside-down Ukrainian flag, and linked to a Telegram channel.
The agency's X handle was also changed to "ZELENET," and its description included a pro-Russian statement. Ukrinform's Director General, Serhii Cherevatyi, told Ukrainska Pravda that the agency had experienced multiple cyberattacks recently, with attackers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including artificial intelligence.
Cherevatyi emphasized the urgency to respond to these threats swiftly. This incident follows a series of cyberattacks on Ukrainian media outlets this month. On November 4, the Kyiv Independent suffered a suspected Russian cyberattack, disrupting its website and sending readers emails with false claims about President Volodymyr Zelensky.
On November 6, hackers compromised Ukrainska Pravda's email newsletter, distributing a fabricated message about an alleged terrorist attack in Kyiv. The attacks came after a breach on November 1 of Ukraine's widely used air raid alert app, which distributed false warnings about nuclear and chemical threats. President Zelensky attributed this incident to Russia.
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