Cyber-Attack Briefly Takes Down Ukrainian Ministry’s Promotional Website

Cyber-Attack Briefly Takes Down Ukrainian Ministry’s Promotional Website
Crowds of people celebrate the New Year around the Christmas tree with the St. Sofia Cathedral in the background in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Dec. 31, 2021. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo)
Reuters
1/27/2022
Updated:
1/27/2022

KYIV—Unidentified hackers briefly took down a promotional website for Ukraine’s foreign ministry for several hours on Wednesday, the ministry said, amid increased tensions between Kyiv and Moscow over a massive build-up of Russian forces near their borders.

The website Ukraine.ua, which aims to promote the country among foreigners, was later restored. The ministry gave no further details.

In mid-January, a powerful cyber-attack hit around 70 internet sites of Ukrainian government and regional bodies. It warned Ukrainians to “be afraid and expect the worst” as the country braces for a possible Russian attack.

Ukraine believes Russia was ultimately behind that cyberattack. Moscow has denied any responsibility.

By Pavel Polityuk