Massive cyberattack hits 70 Ukrainian websites, Russia moves more troops

KYIV/MOSCOW, January 14

Ukraine was hit by a massive cyberattack warning its citizens to “be afraid and expect the worst”, and Russia, which has massed more than 1,00,000 troops on its neighbour’s frontier, released TV pictures on Friday of more forces deploying in a drill.

The developments unfolded hours after talks wrapped up with no breakthrough between Russia and Western states, which fear Moscow could attack Ukraine.

“The drumbeat of war is sounding loud,” Michael Carpenter, US Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said at the close of talks on Thursday.

Ukrainian officials were investigating the huge cyberattack, which they said hit around 70 internet sites of government bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cabinet of Ministers, and Security and Defence Council. Though they avoided directly accusing Moscow, they made clear Russia was suspected. “Ukrainian! All your personal data was uploaded to the public network. All data on the computer is destroyed, it is impossible to restore it,” said a message on hacked government websites. — Reuters

Sweden steps up military contingency

Stockholm: A top military chief in Sweden said on Friday that there was increased Russian activity in the Baltic Sea which “deviates from the normal picture”, leading the Scandinavian nation’s military to raise its preparedness. AP

Russia seeks US, NATO response by next week

Moscow: Russia on Friday strongly repeated its demand that NATO would not expand eastward, despite rejection by the military alliance amid a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine. It also said Washington and NATO should provide a written response to its demands by next week. AP

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