Ukrtelecom, a major state-owned telecommunications company in Ukraine, experienced a powerful cyberattack on its IT infrastructure on Monday that caused internet disruption across the country.
Due to the attack, which affected nearly 70% of the company’s customers, Ukrtelecom temporarily suspended services for the majority of users and business clients.
Global internet monitor service NetBlock reported that real-time network data showed connectivity collapsed to 13% of pre-war levels.
“Confirmed: A major internet disruption has been registered across Ukraine on national provider Ukrtelecom; real-time network data show connectivity collapsing to 13% of pre-war levels; the provider reports issues assigning new sessions,” NetBlock said. “Real-time network data show an ongoing and intensifying nation-scale disruption to service, which is the most severe registered since the invasion by Russia.”
“Today, the enemy launched a powerful cyberattack against Ukrtelecom’s IT-infrastructure,” said Yurii Shchyhol, chairman of the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP) in a statement.
According to the SSSCIP, the attack against Ukrtelecom has been thwarted.
“The specialists from the SSSCIP Ukraine promptly reacted to the situation, due to which the attack was repelled. And now Ukrtelecom has an ability to begin restoring its services to the clients,” the statement said.
Cybersecurity Help’s statement on the critical situation in Ukraine
On February 24, people in many cities and towns across Ukraine woke up to the sounds of explosions and artillery fire, as the Russian Federation launched a full-scale invasion of the country. Such actions are unacceptable, political ambitions of any man aren’t worth of blood, tears, and destruction of millions of lives. We give our full support to the Ukrainian people in these hard times. No more war! Слава Україні!