Anonymous Affiliate Hacks State-Run Russian Broadcaster

shutterstock 348257285

NB65, a hacking group affiliated with the Anonymous collective, has allegedly breached the servers of the Russian government-controlled television and radio broadcasting company. According to social media reports, the hackers are preparing to release hundreds of gigabytes of appropriated data.

Russia’s Radio and TV Broadcaster Targeted by Anonymous

The All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) has been reportedly hacked by NB65, a group linked to Anonymous, the international hacktivist collective which declared cyberwar on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

Anonymous TV (@YourAnonTV), a Twitter account associated with the decentralized movement, broke the news on the microblogging network this week. According to its post, the hackers are going to publish almost 900 GB of leaked data on the internet.

VGTRK, also referred to as Russian Television and Radio, is Russia’s largest media corporation which manages dozens of national and regional TV and radio stations as well as online outlets in Russian and other languages.

Under the company’s umbrella are the national television channels “Rossiya 1” and “Rossiya K,” the country’s first 24/7 news channel “Rossiya 24,” the sports and entertainment “Rossiya 2,” and the international service “RTR Planeta.”

After the Russian military forces crossed the Ukrainian border in late February, Anonymous vowed to disrupt Russia’s internet space. The websites of the Kremlin, the State Duma, and the Defense Ministry were then targeted.

The group also threatened to hack Russian state-run TV channels in order “to broadcast the truth about what happens in Ukraine.” The government-funded international network Russia Today (RT) admitted it had suffered a massive DDoS attack.

Last week, Anonymous said it had hacked the Central Bank of Russia. Although the monetary authority denied the claim, the collective later released 28GB of data, allegedly belonging to the regulator, which contains many documents, including hundreds of audit reports, “secret agreements,” and information revealing bank ownership.

The hackers have also been hitting the websites of foreign companies that are still operating in the Russian Federation despite mounting Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine. The group has issued calls for these businesses to leave the country.

Tags in this story
affiliate, Anonymous, Breach, broadcaster, Channels, Hack, Hackers, hacking group, hacktivist collective, invasion, NB65, radio, Rossiya 1, Rossiya 24, Rossiya K, russian, Sanctions, stations, Television, Ukraine, VGTRK, War

Do you expect Anonymous hackers to continue to target Russian organizations? Tell us in the comments section below.

5D400B11 D5DE 4922 B4F4 0F7229C37672
Lubomir Tassev

Lubomir Tassev is a journalist from tech-savvy Eastern Europe who likes Hitchens’s quote: “Being a writer is what I am, rather than what I do.” Besides crypto, blockchain and fintech, international politics and economics are two other sources of inspiration.




Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

Read disclaimer