Pro-Ukraine hackers wiped 2 petabytes of data from Russian research center

The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense states that pro-Ukraine hackers wiped 2 petabytes of data from a Russian research center.

The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine revealed that pro-Ukraine hackers group “BO Team” wiped the database of the Far Eastern Scientific Research Center of Space Hydrometeorology “Planet.”

The Russian center processes data received from satellites and also provides relevant products to more than 50 state entities, including the Ministry of War, the General Staff and the services of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

“Cyber ​​volunteers-patriots from the group “BO Team” carried out the attack against the Far Eastern (the largest of the three) branch of NDC space hydrometeorology “planet”.” reads the press release published by Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. “The consequences are devastating.”

The hackers wiped 2 petabytes of data from 280 servers with serious consequences for the operations of the center.

The press release speculates that the financial losses for the Russian agency are at least $10 million.

The impact of the incident is devastating, partly exacerbated by sanctions against Russia, which complicates the provision of hardware and software.

The cyberattack also impacted the air conditioning and humidification systems, and the emergency power supply of the center building.

“In general, dozens of strategic companies of the Russian Federation, which work for “defense” and play a key role in supporting the Russian occupation forces, will remain without critically important information and services for a long time.” concludes the press release.

The press release doesn’t include technical details about the attack. It is unclear how the BO Team breached the Russian Agency and if it used malware to wipe the data.

It is unclear if the cyber operation was supported by the Ukrainian intelligence.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – Russian research center, Ukraine)