Security News > 2022 > May > EU says Russia behind cyberattack on satellite modems in Ukraine
The European Union formally accused Russia of coordinating the cyberattack that hit satellite Internet modems in Ukraine on February 24, roughly one hour before Russia invaded Ukraine.
The attack targeted the KA-SAT consumer-oriented satellite broadband service operated by satellite communications provider Viasat.
The satellite internet outage also disconnected modems used to control roughly 5,800 wind turbines in Germany.
One week after the attack, Viasat confirmed that the satellite modems hit in the cyberattack were wiped using AcidRain data destroying malware.
"The European Union and its Member States, together with its international partners, strongly condemn the malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which targeted the satellite KA-SAT network, operated by Viasat," said Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office also issued a statement today formally accusing Russia of being behind the February 24 cyberattack against Viasat modems in Ukraine.