Kyiv.Ukraine.Ukraine Gate-October 28,2021- Since the beginning of the year, SBU Internet experts have blocked the operations of 12 “bot farms” with a capacity of more than 65,000 accounts, through which anti-Ukrainian, anti-vaccine and other destructive content were circulated through social media.
It also prevented more than 1,200 cyber attacks and cyber incidents from affecting critical infrastructure. According to the Business Administration Unit, 427 criminal cases have been launched to protect national cyber security. Sixty-two of the perpetrators have already been tried.
“Among the massive operations revealed by the Internet division of the State Security Administration, more than 150 companies in Europe and the United States have been blocked with their Egregor and Maze malware. They have caused losses amounting to more than 80 million dollars.”
A large-scale criminal scheme related to the illegal issuance of seafarers’ permits was also banned. Because of unauthorized interference with the relevant state registry, the perpetrators were reaping more than $150 million in revenue each year.
The SBU also actively countered the spread of fake news and pro-Russian propaganda. For the entire reporting period, 36 criminal cases under Art. 109 (actions aimed at forced change, the overthrow of the constitutional order or the seizure of state power) and Art. Where was opened 110 (encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine) of the Criminal Code, while 23 people were convicted.
The Internet department of the State Security Administration revealed and neutralized a large-scale network engaged in the field of intelligence and subversive activities organized by the Russian intelligence services. The aggressor force recruited Ukrainian citizens to create and manage a number of politically charged Telegram channels on Telegram.
It should be noted that the Internet experts of the State Security Administration also revealed a network of human assets that was transacted from Russia and operates in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Poltava and Zakarpattia regions, inciting Internet users to participate in the riots.
Also, a total of 83 foreign nationals involved in separatist propaganda on the Internet were banned from entering the country.
According to the Cyber Security Department of the State Security Administration, requests have been submitted to the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions on 187 individuals and legal entities.
According to the NSDC decision, the operations of 500 websites have been restricted for publishing “subversive” reports calling for the violation of the integrity of the constitutional order and the territory. Operations were blocked on 81 software developers and computer suppliers from the aggressor country who acted at the expense of national interests.
The Business Administration Unit has also banned three electronic payment systems and 29 subsidiaries, all of which are used to finance related activities.
SBU’s cyber experts also exposed and banned a money-laundering scheme used by international hacker groups in October. According to the investigation, the anonymous work via the Darknet exploited a vast network of fictitious people and financial services, and complex transactions to launder the criminal proceeds of cybercriminals.
