Dateline Moscow, Kyiv, Paris, London, Washington, and Beijing: Update on the cyber phases of a hybrid war.
Ukraine at D+18: An increasingly indiscriminate war. (The CyberWire) Cease-fire negotiations resume to mixed hopes as Russia's invasion continues to redress stalled maneuver with intensified and indiscriminate fires (and also wildly implausible diplomacy).
Ukraine: Russia will not waste offensive cyber weapons. (The CyberWire) Maybe we shouldn't be so surprised that major, devastating Russian cyberattacks haven't yet appeared in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Why has Russia’s emerging tech had so little impact on its invasion of Ukraine? (C4ISRNet) There is still a possibility that the Kremlin will begin to leverage more advanced technologies in the future. Russia’s military already possess these capabilities, ranging from unmanned ground vehicles previously used in Syria to tactical and loitering UAVs which will arm Russian commanders with clearer battlefield situational awareness and hypersonic missiles.
Ukraine war latest: Talks resume as Russia strikes Kyiv (BBC News) Negotiators are aiming to halt the fighting as pressure on Ukraine's capital intensifies.
Meet the Press - March 13, 2022 (NBC News) Richard Engel, Jake Sullivan, Marie Yovanovitch, Michael McFaul, James Stavridis, Peter Baker, Helene Cooper, Rich Lowry, Kimberly Atkins Stohr, William Barr
Russian former foreign minister calls for Ukraine ceasefire (the Guardian) Igor Ivanov joins appeal for return to diplomacy to reduce ‘elevated risk’ of nuclear conflict
Volodymyr Zelensky challenges Vladimir Putin to meet him for peace talks (The Telegraph) Ukrainian president says negotiations in Jerusalem would be mediated by Naftali Bennett, the Israeli prime minister
Why any Putin-Zelensky summit is an unlikely end to war (Newsweek) Ukrainian president Zelensky has said that direct talks with Putin were the only way to end the war.
Ukraine Top Diplomat Sees No Progress in Talks With Russia (Bloomberg) Kuleba reacts to Putin claim of ‘positive developments’. Kuleba reinforces demand for security guarantees in interview.
US view of Putin: Angry, frustrated, likely to escalate war (AP NEWS) More than two weeks into a war he expected to dominate in two days, Vladimir Putin is projecting anger, frustration at his military’s failures and a willingness to cause even more violence and destruction in Ukraine, in the assessment of U.S.
Russians advance in Ukrainian cities as war deepens and diplomatic efforts fail (Washington Post) Russian forces continued to grind their way toward Ukrainian cities on Saturday, making limited gains in their attempts to surround Kyiv and capturing a minor city in the country’s south. Despite mounting losses and stiff resistance from Ukrainian forces, Russia showed no signs of letting up, and President Vladimir Putin rejected direct appeals from French and German leaders to de-escalate attacks.
Attacks on Ukrainian cities continue as Kyiv, Moscow set to talk (Washington Post) Ukrainian official announces new evacuation routes. China calls U.S. allegation that Russia asked Beijing for military equipment ‘fake news.’
Ukraine Update: New Round of Talks; U.S-China Officials to Meet (Bloomberg) Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine are set to hold further talks Monday, after a weekend where Moscow increased its aerial attacks on western areas closer to Ukraine’s border with Poland.
For the Russians to cut off Ukraine's access to the sea, they must go through Mykolaiv. 'People are ready to fight until the last ammo,' said its mayor (Business Insider) Mykolaiv's mayor told Insider that Ukrainian forces have so far successfully repelled probings by Russian forces, but the main offensive is imminent.
‘Do not fear bombs, they are your chance to meet God,’ priest reassures Kyiv congregation (The Telegraph) As Russian tanks advance on Ukraine's capital, worshippers at a church in the suburb of Brovary seek solace in prayer
Russia-Ukraine war: Key things to know about the conflict (AP NEWS) Russia escalated attacks in western Ukraine on Sunday with a deadly airstrike on a military base where Ukrainian troops had trained with NATO forces, bringing the conflict closer to Poland and other members of the bloc.
Russia targets Ukrainian military base near Polish border in escalation (the Guardian) US national security adviser says any fire on neighbour of Ukraine would trigger full-force Nato response
Ukraine’s former prime minister: If the West fails to intervene, Putin will invade EU cities (The Telegraph) Volodymyr Groysman is in hiding after finding himself on Russia’s hit list – and says Lithuania, Estonia and Poland are next to be invaded
Ukraine Update: Belarus Says Russia Is Sending ‘Modern’ Weapons (Bloomberg) Ukraine’s top diplomat pushed back on the suggestion of “positive movement” in talks with Russia cited earlier by President Vladimir Putin, saying there’s been “zero progress.” U.S. stocks fell after the comments, and the dollar rose.
Russian attacks hit at least 9 Ukrainian medical facilities, visual evidence shows (Washington Post) Windows blasted out, a car in flames, patients limping away to safety — this was the scene at a maternity hospital in Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov, after a Russian strike tore through the facility, killing at least three people and injuring 17 on March 9, according to Mariupol officials.
The Situation at Chernobyl Is Deteriorating (Wired) The defunct site of the infamous 1986 meltdown has lost power two weeks after it was seized by Russian forces. Experts fear another nuclear disaster looms.
Russia ‘stockpiling bodies of Ukrainian soldiers’ to use in ‘false flag’ attack on Chernobyl (The Telegraph) Kyiv’s military intelligence unit believes Vladimir Putin plans to release radioactive waste and present the dead as ‘killed saboteurs’
Kyiv ‘ready to fight’ as Russian forces close in on Ukraine capital (the Guardian) Ukrainian president warns of ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ as hundreds of thousands of civilians remain under fire across country
Ukraine Live Updates: U.S. to Send More Arms as Putin Resists Cease-Fire (New York Times) The Kremlin warned that convoys used to transfer weapons to Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets.” Russian forces pressed into the suburbs of the capital.
The White House approves $200 million in arms and equipment for Ukraine. (New York Times) With the new arms package, which officials say includes antitank and antiaircraft missiles, the Biden administration has authorized $1.2 billion in weapons for Ukraine in the past year.
U.S. to Send Arms to Ukraine, as Russia Intensifies Campaign of Destruction (New York Times) A defiant mayor of a captured city was kidnapped by Russian troops, Ukrainian authorities say, an act that prompted hundreds to protest.
The inside story of how Britain armed Ukraine’s resistance to Russia (The Telegraph) From spooks to special services and secret airlifts, the UK has been at the forefront of international efforts to help Zelensky’s army
Russians strike near Kyiv, block aid convoy; port city reels (AP NEWS) Russian forces pounded the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Saturday, shelling its downtown as residents hid in an iconic mosque and elsewhere to avoid the explosions. Fighting also raged in the outskirts of the capital , Kyiv, as Russia kept up its bombardment of other cities throughout the country.
After more than two weeks of war, the Russian military grinds forward at a heavy cost (Washington Post) Russia has gained only limited territory, while suffering substantial losses in both personnel and equipment
Why Russia’s forces are too stretched and exhausted to encircle and attack Kyiv (The Telegraph) After two weeks of war, what are the chances of Vladimir Putin’s demoralised troops laying siege to the Ukrainian capital?
Russian air strikes destroy civilian targets in strategic city of Dnipro (The Telegraph) Those who witnessed Friday’s attack were left asking why Moscow chose to target an area with no obvious military asset
‘We are ready and united’: Lviv residents prepare for Russian advance (the Guardian) Ukraine city near Polish border has not yet been touched by Russian bombs but people are readying for the worst
‘Do not invade Kyiv, we have already lost this war’: the pleas of Russia’s captured pilots (The Telegraph) Airmen’s appeals appear likely to come to naught as signs emerge that Vladimir Putin's troops are preparing for all-out assault on capital
Demoralised and incompetent, Putin’s army is marching to its doom (The Telegraph) The Russian president has united Ukraine against him as his path to victory narrows
Russia calls West's weapons for Ukraine "legitimate targets" for military (Newsweek) The U.S. Congress approved $13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine following Russia's invasion.
Top American generals on three key lessons learned from Ukraine (Breaking Defense) "The computer models would have said Russia wins in 72 to 96 hours," said Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger. They "cannot explain why Ukraine is still hanging on. Why is that?"
Kremlin arrests FSB chiefs in fallout from Ukraine chaos (Times) The defenestration of several senior spies is a sign of Putin’s growing fury towards the intelligence services
Putin's reported arrest of Russian intel official shows frustration with progress of Ukraine invasion: expert (Yahoo) Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly placed one of his top intel officials on house arrest which one expert tells Fox News would be a sign that he is seeking to shift away blame for a Ukrainian invasion U.S. intelligence believes has not gone according to plan.
How Russia’s war in Ukraine could see its defence minister cast out – or propelled to power (The Telegraph) Gen Sergei Shoigu, a long-term ally of Vladimir Putin, is seen by some as a ‘politically acceptable’ figurehead for a military coup
How Putin could be removed from power – and who would replace him (The Telegraph) It’s hard to envisage the Russian president stepping down, but a coup from within the corridors of the Kremlin may force the issue
Russia declares mobilization in CADLR and Crimea – intelligence data (Ukrinform) Russia has declared mobilization within the certain areas of Donetsk Region and Luhansk Region (CADLR) and Crimea. — Ukrinform.
Putin Says Russia to Send Middle East Fighters to Ukraine (Bloomberg) Russia also to step up weapons deliveries to separatist areas. Defense minister says 16,000 volunteers ready to fight.
Russian War Report: Putin endorses plan to bring 16,000 “volunteers” from the Middle East to fight in Ukraine (Atlantic Council) Russia’s Defense Minister announced that more than 16,000 “volunteers” from the Middle East had expressed interest in joining Russia’s “liberation movement” for the People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Syria's civil war comes to Ukraine as rival sides sign up to fight abroad (Newsweek) "They see it as a chance to build a future, some people for the money, others think they can start a life there," one source in Syria told Newsweek.
US veteran ships Hollywood military gear for real-life use in Ukraine (the Guardian) A former marine who provides military props to movies is donating boots and camo to soldiers fighting Russian invasion
Not just Putin: Most Russians support the war in Ukraine (Atlantic Council) Many international commentators have pinned the blame for the Russian invasion of Ukraine solely on Vladimir Putin but the chilling truth is that an overwhelming majority of ordinary Russians also support the war.
‘My mother says I am betraying Russia’: Putin’s invasion divides the generations (the Guardian) Families torn apart as younger Russians opposing war in Ukraine fall out with older relatives reliant on diet of state propaganda
More than 750 anti-war protesters arrested across Russia (Al Jazeera) Independent monitoring group OVD-Info says 756 people arrested across 37 cities, with about half of arrests in Moscow.
Last exit from Moscow: the ordinary Russians desperate to escape Putin’s grasp (The Telegraph) With the Kremlin's regime in turmoil, large numbers are trying to start new lives abroad – while they still can
Opinion: Why Russia won’t soon recover from Putin’s Ukraine blunder (Washington Post) “I can’t stand it. Nobody can stand it. We’re dead.” These were Nina Khrushcheva’s first words when I called to ask how she was faring as Russia’s war on Ukraine escalates and civilian death tolls rise.
Anti-war protests across Europe, small rallies in Russia (AP NEWS) Tens of thousands of people rallied Sunday in cities across Europe to protest against Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine , with small vigils taking place in Russia as well despite a crackdown by authorities against such demonstrations.
How ‘Z’ became a symbol for supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Washington Post) A new pro-Russian symbol is emerging as Moscow continues its assault on Ukraine. The insignia is bold, recognizable and — importantly, according to some analysts — can be painted with one stroke: the letter “Z.”
US journalist Brent Renaud 'killed in Ukraine' (The Telegraph) Renaud was in a car with other foreign journalists when Russian troops opened fire, according to Kyiv police
US film-maker Brent Renaud reportedly killed by Russian forces in Ukraine (the Guardian) Award-winning journalist and a colleague, who survived, were fired on near checkpoint in Irpin
The Russians Might Have Expected a Warm Welcome. Instead the Mayor Labeled Them ‘Occupiers.’ (New York Times) The 33-year-old mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fyodorov, encouraged defiance. Then he was arrested, and hasn’t been heard from since.
Defiant mayor of Melitopol taken hostage as Russia bids to strengthen its grip on Ukraine (The Telegraph) Abduction of Ivan Fedorov is described as a 'new stage of terror' by Ukraine's president as he appeals to the global community for support
Reports of Russia abducting two mayors signal ominous new phase of Ukraine invasion (Washington Post) Local officials disappearing, public warnings that protests will be considered “extremism” and signs of Ukrainian resistance anyway: This is what life looks like inside some Ukrainian cities now under the control of Russian troops, according to new photos and videos from those areas posted to social media.
Russian soldier warned Ukrainian priest that body of murdered Hostomel mayor was boobytrapped (The Telegraph) Soldier disarmed suspected mine on Yuri Prilipko's body and helped cleric load the corpse onto a wheelbarrow
The Russian invasion of Ukraine happened because the world gave Vladimir Putin a free pass in Syria (Atlantic Council) When Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, I rushed to a protest organized by Ukrainians in Oxford, England. I, along with fellow Syrians, brought the Syrian revolution flag to the protests to demand an end to the invasion.
Biden Revives the Truman Doctrine (Foreign Policy) His call to wage a global war for freedom echoes the dawn of the Cold War.
Biden’s Truman Moment Has Arrived in Ukraine (Foreign Policy) The U.S. president is committed to containment against Russia. But what kind?
The Return of Containment (Foreign Policy) What the Cold War policy means for our current moment.
Moldova braces for 'spectrum of threats' as Russia bids to seize south of Ukraine (The Telegraph) Intelligence sources fear pro-European state with a breakaway pro-Russian enclave could be next on Vladimir Putin's list
As West tries to force Russia from Ukraine, endgame elusive (AP NEWS) As Western leaders congratulate themselves for their speedy and severe responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine , they’re also scratching their heads with uncertainty about what their actions will accomplish.
Vladimir Putin agrees to supply Belarus with modern weapons amid invasion fears
(The Telegraph) Vladimir Putin agreed to provide Belarus with the most up-to-date military equipment in a meeting with Alexander Lukashenko at the Kremlin today, amid fears that Minsk will now join the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has created NATO's watershed moment (Breaking Defense) A former chairman of the joint chiefs and two former supreme allied commanders of NATO, among others, lay out how it has come to the point Russia felt it could invade Ukraine.
On every level, the lie that Nato is to blame for this war is absurd (The Telegraph) Both the Left and the Right have their own versions of this ridiculous idea. Neither has any credence
Opinion | ‘We Live in a Different World Now’: Dispatch From a Changed Germany (New York Times) A stunned country rearms.
Lend-Lease 2022: How the US can back Ukraine against Putin (Atlantic Council) With Ukraine still in desperate need of more military aid to counter Vladimir Putin's invasion, it is now time for the United States to revive the Lend-Lease program signed into law eighty-one years ago on March 11, 1941.
What to know about the role Javelin antitank missiles could play in Ukraine’s fight against Russia (Washington Post) The United States and allies have surged weapons to Ukraine in recent weeks in the face of the Russian invasion. Images of destroyed Russian tanks on social media have drawn attention to one particular weapon: the Javelin missile.
U.S. explores sending Ukraine more advanced weapons after scuttling Polish jet deal (Washington Post) The Biden administration, under pressure to expand the arsenal of weapons that Ukraine has in its conflict with Russia, is working with European allies to expedite more sophisticated air-defense systems and other armaments into the war zone, U.S. officials said Friday.
Russian-made military drone crashes in Croatia after flying through eastern Europe (The Telegraph) Local security experts label incident ‘a Nato failure’ as object said to have crossed Romania and Hungary before it crashed
Defending every inch of NATO territory: Force posture options for strengthening deterrence in Europe (Atlantic Council) Deterrence in Europe can be enhanced through a range of US and NATO force posture enhancements.
EU leaders announce intention to collectively rearm in face of Putin threat (the Guardian) Versailles declaration says Russia’s war in Ukraine has heralded ‘tectonic shift in European history’
Russia to create its own security certificate authority, alarming experts (CyberScoop) Experts say Russia's decision to bypass sanctions and create its own security certificate authority will allow surveillance, disinformation
Experts skeptical new Russian certificate authority will evade sanctions (IT World Canada) Russia has found what it hopes is a way to get around Ukraine-related war sanctions that are preventing websites in the country from renewing their TLS certificates. Web browsers block sites with expired security certificates, causing trouble for Russian government and business sites. TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificates are created by an authorized certificate authority
Understanding Russia’s “Sovereign Internet”: What Happens If Russia Isolates Itself from the Global Internet? (Flashpoint) Click here for Flashpoint’s coverage of the role of intelligence in Russia’s war on Ukraine. Russia moves to control the information narrative The Russian
Russia’s domestic internet talk isn’t new — but it’s ramping up (Medium) The size and scope of the ongoing crackdown is unprecedented
The Russian exile who found a way past Putin's internet firewall (TechRadar) Aleksandr Litreev escaped trial in Russia and now he's a thorn in the government's side
Russian Cyber Restraint in Ukraine Puzzles Experts (SecurityWeek) The absence of any crippling Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine is puzzling experts, but they warn that low-level assaults may be coming, including against the West in retaliation for sanctions.
Russia's cyber offensive against Ukraine has been limited so far. Experts are divided on why (KESQ) By Sean Lyngaas, CNN US officials warned that a wave of debilitating cyberattacks could accompany Russia’s war on Ukraine. So far they haven’t materialized, and US and Ukrainian officials are contemplating why as they prepare for the next phase of the war. There have been several hacks of Ukrainian organizations, but no reports yet of
‘Not the time to go poking around’: How former U.S. hackers view dealing with Russia (POLITICO) People with experience in U.S. hacking operations say they expect both Washington and Moscow to show caution in how they wield their digital weapons.
We're seeing 800% increase in cyberattacks, says MSP (Register) Cyberwarfare escalates for some as Russia continues to invade Ukraine
Russian-Ukrainian politics put Australian Government IT infrastructures at the mercy of cyber-warfare (Geektime) Redefining “gangs” in the age of ransomware and critical assets targeted as collateral
Not Worried About Russian Hacking? You Should Be (TheStreet) Here are the companies most at risk and most likely to benefit as Putin's cyberattacks continue to rise.
War in Ukraine: What type of cyber attacks can we expect next? (Help Net Security) The cyber activities related to the ongoing war in Ukraine have run a wide gamut so far. What can we expect next?
U.S. spy agency probes sabotage of satellite internet during Russian invasion -sources (Reuters) Western intelligence agencies are investigating a cyberattack by unidentified hackers that disrupted broadband satellite internet access in Ukraine coinciding with Russia’s invasion, according to three people with direct knowledge of the incident.
Report: NSA Investigates Viasat Hack That Coincided With Ukraine Invasion (PCMAG) The agency is said to be collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence and ANSSI on the investigation.
US intelligence officials investigate satellite internet cyberattack in Ukraine, which took place on day Russia invaded, reports say (Yahoo) The cyberattack began on February 24 between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., just as Russia began its assault on Ukraine, according to Reuters.
Ukraine’s internet infrastructure struggles as Russian invasion continues (The Record by Recorded Future) Ukraine’s internet networks have suffered more signficant disruptions in recent days as Russia continues its assault on the country.
EXCLUSIVE Ukraine has started using Clearview AI’s facial recognition during war (Reuters) Ukraine's defense ministry on Saturday began using Clearview AI’s facial recognition technology, the company's chief executive told Reuters, after the U.S. startup offered to uncover Russian assailants, combat misinformation and identify the dead.
Cyberwar Bulletin 1: Russia & Ukraine (CSW) After weeks of diplomatic dialogues failed to deter Russian intent, Russia appears to have officially declared cyber war. Combined with the attacks through the land, air and sea in its efforts to invade and conquer, the Russian army has invoked cyber warfare as another means to bring down Ukraine and its supporting countries to their knees.
China says U.S. addresses used its computers to launch cyberattacks on Russia, Ukraine (Reuters) China has experienced continuous cyberattacks since February in which internet addresses in the United States have been used to seize control of Chinese computers to target Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, state news agency Xinhua said on Friday.
US, China aides to meet as tensions mount over Russia (AP NEWS) The U.S. and China are sending top aides to meet in Rome on Monday amid mounting tensions between the two countries over the Russia-Ukraine war and as a U.S. official reports that Russia in recent days has asked China for military equipment to help press its campaign.
Russia Asked China for Military and Economic Aid for Ukraine War, U.S. Officials Say (New York Times) Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, plans to meet with a top Chinese official on Monday in Rome to discuss the war and China’s role.
Russia asks China for military equipment, U.S. officials say (Washington Post) Aid convoy unable to reach Mariupol, where city council says 2,187 residents have died. Russia asks China for military equipment, U.S. officials say. 35 dead in Russian strike on military site in western Ukraine, near Poland, Lviv governor says.
Rosneft's German unit reports cyber attack- media reports (Reuters) The German subsidiary of the Russian energy company Rosneft has reported a hacker attack, die Welt newspaper reported on Sunday, citing the country's BSI cybersecurity watchdog.
Anonymous stole 20 terabytes of data from Rosneft's German unit (CyberNews) Hackers claim to have penetrated deep into the company's administrative systems.
Rosneft: Deutsche Tochter wurde Ziel eines Cyberangriffs - WELT (DIE WELT) Die deutsche Tochter des russischen Energieriesens spielt hierzulande eine wichtige Rolle – jetzt wurde sie Ziel eines Cyberangriffs mit relevanten Auswirkungen. Verantwortlich sollen Hacker sein, die die Ukraine unterstützen.
Bundeskriminalamt ermittelt wegen Datenraubs bei Rosneft Deutschland (Der Spiegel) Hacker des Anonymous-Kollektivs haben die deutsche Tochter des russischen Mineralölkonzerns Rosneft angegriffen und offenbar Daten erbeutet. Nun ermittelt nach SPIEGEL-Informationen das Bundeskriminalamt.
CERT-UA warns about spreading fake letters allegedly on behalf of Ukrainian govt agencies with link to download malware (Interfax Ukraine) The Ukrainian government's CERT-UA cybersecurity team has published a warning about sending fake letters allegedly on behalf of the public bodies of Ukraine with a link to downloading malicious software under the guise of a package to increase the level of information security.
As Russia Invaded, Hackers Broke Into A Ukrainian Internet Provider. Then Did It Again As Bombs Rained Down (Forbes) A major Ukrainian internet service provider says it was hacked twice. Sources tell Forbes that the first hack was in February, the second on March 9, and that the hackers managed to reset devices to factory settings.
'A very scary place' — Russia-Ukraine war brings new cyber risks to transport sector (FreightWaves) A former U.S. Army officer turned CEO explains the dangers of cyberwarfare, and why his company is working to protect trains, planes and tanks from getting hacked.
Russian cyberattacks could threaten U.S. healthcare system, experts warn (UPI) Sick people seeking lifesaving care in the United States could fall victim to a hidden part of Russia's war on Ukraine -- vicious cyberattacks aimed at sowing disruption, confusion and chaos as ground forces advance.
The threat of CBW? (Modern Diplomacy) Russia’s U.N. representative, Vasily Nebenzya, told the U.N. Security Council that Russia had discovered “ at least 30 Ukrainian laboratories working on diseases including anthrax, cholera and “the plague,” with funding and oversight by the U.S. military. He said the “reckless” activity included research related to diseases born by birds, lice and fleas. He warned, […]
Russia makes claims of US-backed biological weapon plot at UN (the Guardian) Fears claims of plot to use birds to spread disease could be pretext for biological attack by Russia itself
Russian media spreading disinformation about US bioweapons as troops mass near Ukraine (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists) Unsubstantiated allegations about US bioweapons or malicious biological research near Russia are being echoed at the highest levels of the Russian government. State media are repeating the claims. The Kremlin’s alleged proxy media outlets are writing about them, and after President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met recently, their two countries issued a joint statement decrying US bioweapons activities.
Ukraine, US Biolabs, and an Ongoing Russian Disinformation Campaign (Snopes.com) In an attempt to justify Russia's invasion of Ukraine, propagandists claimed the attack was focused on secret U.S. biolabs there.
Would Putin Use Nuclear Weapons? (Foreign Policy) The urge to do more to help Ukraine is running up against concerns over nuclear escalation with Russia.
Putin still a rational man who won't use nuclear weapons, top experts say (Newsweek) Deploying a nuclear weapon in Ukraine could backfire on Russia and experts don't believe it's a weapon Putin needs to use to achieve his goals.
How NATO could be dragged into Russia's Ukraine War—"Game changer" (Newsweek) President Andrzej Duda of Poland, a NATO member country, spoke about what might make NATO rethink Russia's invasion.
A top Wikipedia editor has been arrested in Belarus (The Verge) The editor had been doxxed prior to the arrest
Pro-Russia rebels are still using Facebook to recruit fighters, spread propaganda (Washington Post) A pair of whistleblower complaints filed to the Justice and Treasury departments argue that Facebook violated laws by allowing accounts from sanctioned entities on the platform
Using a New Cyber Tool, Westerners Have Been Texting Russians About the War in Ukraine (Wall Street Journal) A website developed by hackers is a new tool in the West’s battle to counter Russia’s propaganda campaign.
Putin’s pre-war moves against U.S. tech giants laid groundwork for crackdown on free expression (Washington Post) Google and Apple blinked after threats from Russian agents
Instagram will go dark in Russia, expanding the country’s media vacuum (Quartz) Facebook and Twitter already have been blocked in Russia. The Instagram ban takes effect on March 14.
Russia restricts Instagram, advancing fight with Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:FB) (SeekingAlpha) Russia's communications regulator is stepping up its battle with Facebook parent Meta Platforms (FB -3.3%), now restricting access to Instagram in the country amid its ongoing war...
Russian Internet watchdog Roskomnadzor is going to ban Instagram (Security Affairs) Russian Internet watchdog Roskomnadzor is going to ban Instagram in Russia to prevent the spreading of info related to the Ukraine invasion. Russia will ban Instagram, the decision was announced by Russian Internet watchdog Roskomnadzor. Officially the Russian Internet watchdog Roskomnadzor explained that the decision is the response of Meta that the posting of information […]
Russia will ban Instagram on March 14th (The Verge) Instagram will be banned in Russia soon.
Russia Asks Court to Label Facebook, Instagram ‘Extremist’ (Bloomberg) Instagram may be shut off, following ban of Facebook. Meta allows posts calling for violence against Russia soldiers.
YouTube is now blocking Russian state-funded media worldwide (The Verge) It cites its community guidelines about violent events.
In Ukraine, tech platforms abandon the illusion of neutrality (Washington Post) From Facebook to TikTok to DuckDuckGo, companies that once claimed to be 'unbiased’ are showing that they can take a side after all.
Russian TikTok Influencers Are Being Paid to Spread Kremlin Propaganda (Vice) An investigation by VICE News uncovered a coordinated campaign to pay Russian TikTok influencers to post videos pushing pro-Kremlin narratives.
The White House is briefing TikTok stars about the war in Ukraine (Washington Post) With millions getting their information about the war from the platform, the administration wants to get its message to top content creators.
Activists Are Reaching Russians Behind Putin's Propaganda Wall (Wired) Apps like Tinder, Google Maps, and Telegram give activists a way to share what's really going on in Ukraine—for now.
Tech Walls Off Russia Like Never Before, Posing New Risks for U.S. (Bloomberg) A historic effort to isolate the country could set back its defense-industrial complex by decades but push Putin toward China.
U.S. and Allies Move to Further Isolate Russia From Global Economy (New York Times) The Biden administration said it would join Europe and other allies in stripping Russia of permanent normal trade relations, another step to inflict economic damage on the country over its invasion of Ukraine.
Richest Russian Dissents on Putin’s Tit-for-Tat Over Sanctions (Bloomberg) Billionaire Vladimir Potanin, Russia’s richest man and one of the few tycoons to escape sanctions, tore into every aspect of his country’s retaliation against international penalties enacted over President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
WSJ News Exclusive | Russian Prosecutors Warn Western Companies of Arrests, Asset Seizures (Wall Street Journal) McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, P&G and IBM among those warned that leaders could be arrested, trademarks seized.
Developers of antiviruses ESET, Avast and Norton stopped sales in the Russian Federation (The Times Hub) Companies developing popular antiviruses suspended sales of services in Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. Supplier ESET cybersecurity solutions have stopped selling their products to users from Russia and Belarus: < /center> Avast stops selling its products in Russia and Belarus and will provide free license renewal for Ukrainian users: «Our business, which […]
Avast Suspends Operations in Russia and Belarus (Infosecurity Magazine) Cybersecurity firm joins growing list of companies pulling out of Russia following invasion of Ukraine
Big Web Security Firms Ditch Russia, Leaving Internet Users Open To More Kremlin Snooping (Forbes) Multi-billion dollar companies protest Ukraine invasion, leaving Russians more vulnerable to cybercrime.
Maersk Plans to Sell Stakes in Russian Ports Over Ukraine War (Bloomberg) A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, the Danish transport giant, will sell its holdings in Russian ports due to the war in Ukraine.
US slashes Russia trade status, bans its alcohol and seafood (AP NEWS) President Joe Biden announced Friday the U.S. will dramatically downgrade its trade status with Russia as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine and also ban imports of Russian seafood, alcohol and diamonds.
Biden Bans Iconic Russian Imports, Calls for Trade Downgrade (Bloomberg) U.S. bars imports of Russian vodka, caviar, diamonds. Pelosi says House to act next week on trade status bill.
Commerce Restricts the Export of Luxury Goods to Russia and Belarus and to Russian and Belarusian Oligarchs and Malign Actors in Latest Response to Aggression Against Ukraine (U.S. Department of Commerce) Today, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) imposed restrictions on the export, reexport, and transfer (in country) of luxury goods to all end users in the Russian Federation (Russia) and Belarus and to certain Russian and Belarusian oligarchs and malign actors located worldwide.
How Vladimir Putin blundered into his biggest economic mistake (The Telegraph) As Europe races to turn off the taps, Russia faces ruin
Russia built an economy like a fortress but the pain is real (AP NEWS) Western sanctions are dealing a severe blow to Russia's economy. The ruble is plunging, foreign businesses are fleeing and sharply higher prices are in the offing.
Ukraine has made Huawei even more toxic for European telcos (Light Reading) The Chinese equipment vendor's continued involvement in Russia is awkward for its biggest European customers.
A New World Energy Order Is Emerging From Putin’s War on Ukraine (Bloomberg) Geopolitical shifts are underway as fresh alliances are forged and old grievances inflamed.
Exclusive: Russia's attack on Ukraine halts half of world's neon output for chips (Reuters) Ukraine's two leading suppliers of neon, which produce about half the world's supply of the key ingredient for making chips, have halted their operations as Moscow has sharpened its attack on the country, threatening to raise prices and aggravate the semiconductor shortage.
Russian oil giant Lukoil had big dreams for its U.S. gas stations. The invasion of Ukraine could spell the end. (Washington Post) The private company, which observers said has maintained some independence from Putin, is now caught in a high-stakes economic battle
Attempts to sanction Russian oligarchs slowed by fears over historic £1.3bn payout (The Telegraph) Cabinet figures concerned that an historic case that saw an Iranian bank paid a huge settlement has had a ‘chilling effect’
Russia War Raises Global Insurers' Cyber Claim Exposure (Law360) Global insurers are on high alert for an increase in cyberattack and business interruption claims as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, facing growing exposure as the networks of Ukraine and its Western allied countries' critical infrastructure sectors are attacked and threatened.
That Russian Business You’re Boycotting Isn’t Actually Russian (New York Times) The consumer activism that makes a vodka C.E.O. say: ‘Do you know we’re Latvian?’
Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities
Android malware Escobar steals your Google Authenticator MFA codes (BleepingComputer) The Aberebot banking trojan appears to have returned, as its author is actively promoting a new version of the tool on dark web markets and forums.
Devious Escobar Android malware can steal credentials for 190 financial apps (Android Police) No relation to Pablo — as far as we know
Google Attempts to Explain Surge in Chrome Zero-Day Exploitation (SecurityWeek) The number of Chrome vulnerabilities exploited in the wild has been increasing over the past years and Google is trying to explain this trend.
Google: We're spotting more Chrome browser zero-day flaws in the wild. Here's why (ZDNet) Here's why there were so many zero-day exploits for Chrome and other browsers in 2021.
Ubisoft says it experienced a ‘cyber security incident’, and the purported Nvidia hackers are taking credit (The Verge) There have been some other high profile hacks recently.
Ubisoft changes employee passwords after “cyber security incident” (Graham Cluley) Video game company Ubisoft, maker of hit titles like Assassin’s Creed and Just Dance says that it has “experienced a cyber security incident” – and as a consequence is changing its employees'
After Nvidia & Samsung, gaming giant Ubisoft suffers cyber attack (Telangana Today) In a Telegram channel allegedly run by LAPSUS$, the group took responsibility for the Ubisoft incident, reports The Verge.
Ubisoft suffered a cyber security incident that caused a temporary disruption (Security Affairs) Video game company Ubisoft has suffered a ‘cyber security incident’ that had a severe impact on games, systems, and services. The rumors of a cyber attack against Ubisoft circulated online in the last few days, while data extortion group LAPSUS$ claimed to have hacked the company. Over the last few days, multiple users reported problems accessing […]
Cyberattack Hits Toyota Supplier Denso, No Impact to Operations (Bloomberg) Attack on another supplier idled Toyota factories weeks ago. Denso spokeswoman says business operations running normally.
UPDATE 1-Japan's Denso hit by apparent ransomware attack - NHK (Reuters) An alleged cybercrime group released a statement on Sunday saying it had stolen classified information from Toyota Motor Corp's main supplier Denso and will release it on the dark web, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported.
LockBit ransomware group claims to have hacked Bridgestone Americas (Security Affairs) LockBit ransomware gang claimed to have hacked Bridgestone Americas, one of the largest manufacturers of tires. LockBit ransomware gang claimed to have compromised the network of Bridgestone Americas, one of the largest manufacturers of tires, and stolen data from the company. The Bridgestone Americas family of enterprises includes more than 50 production facilities and 55,000 […]
Bridgestone Americas confirms ransomware attack, LockBit leaks data (BleepingComputer) A cyberattack on Bridgestone Americas, one of the largest manufacturers of tires in the world, has been claimed by the LockBit ransomware gang.
Kaspersky forced to deny source code leak (ComputerWeekly) Kaspersky says an alleged leak of its source code was in fact material anyone could have gleaned from its public servers.
Ukrainian Hacktivists Allegedly Dumps Kaspersky Product Source Code Online (Lowyat.NET) As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine begins to enter its third week, many sympathisers of the defender have taken to conducting their own form of offensives, particularly in the realm of cyberspace. On that note, a hacker collective going by the name Network Battalion 65, or NB65, recently broke into servers reportedly belonging to the Russia-based […]
Hack of Japan's Toei Delays Several Anime Series, Including One Piece (PCMAG) One-Piece.com plans on notifying fans about the new broadcast schedule on March 20.
No Breach Of Customer Data Or Privacy. (Fiji Sun) Misinformation has been circulating on social media that Telecom was subject to a cyberattack where servers were hacked and hackers collected a broad range of customer and company information.
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Are these wrong-number texts related to sex trafficking? Experts say, don't respond. (11Alive.com) A viral online post claims that if you respond to these text messages, people will be able to track you and eventually lure you into sex trafficking. Is it true?
Security Patches, Mitigations, and Software Updates
Microsoft delivers a solid, low-impact Patch Tuesday (Computerworld) This month's Patch Tuesday brought a solid set of updates for Windows, Microsoft Office, Exchange, and Chromium-based Edge (Chromium). But there weren't any critical issues requiring companies to patch right away.
Trends
Zimperium’s 2022 Global Mobile Threat Report Provides Sweeping New Data and Analysis on the State of Mobile Security (Business Wire) Zimperium published its 2022 Global Mobile Threat Report unveiling new data and comprehensive analysis of the state of mobile security worldwide.
Cyberspace making Canadian secrets more vulnerable, spy service official warns (nationalpost) The expansion of cyberspace is making it easier for foreign adversaries to pilfer valuable secrets, says a senior official at Canada’s spy service.
Marketplace
Sorenson Ventures Raises $150 Million Second Fund (PR Newswire) Sorenson Ventures today announced that it has raised $150 million for its second fund, Sorenson Ventures II. The fundraise was oversubscribed...
Mandiant Rips Investor's Bid For Docs On $1.2B FireEye Sale (Law360) Mandiant Inc. has blasted an investor's bid to have the Delaware Chancery Court order the handover of materials detailing legal advice Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati gave the cybersecurity company's board about a $1.2 billion sale of FireEye Inc. assets, saying she is leading the court "on an unnecessary detour."
Inside Project Texas, TikTok’s Big Answer To US Lawmakers’ China Fears (BuzzFeed News) TikTok is rebuilding its systems to keep US user data in the US and putting a new US-based team in control. But for now, that team reports to executives in China.
EXCLUSIVE Nokia set to replace Huawei gear in parts of Vodafone Idea's India network - sources (Reuters) Nokia is in talks to replace Huawei (HWT.UL) 4G radio equipment from parts of Vodafone Idea's telecom network in India, in one of the largest swap deals for the Finnish company, three sources familiar with the matter said.
Ukraine’s Tech Companies Seek Stability Outside the Country (Wall Street Journal) Companies are moving their Ukraine-based tech teams to hubs in nearby Poland and Georgia, setting up more permanent operations while the war’s destructiveness cuts deeper into the country.
Autocracy Is a Bad Investment (Morningstar, Inc.) Russia, China highlight the need to consider 'regime risk.'
Amazon’s Washington Strategy Wins Few New Friends in the Biden Era (Wall Street Journal) The president’s 2020 election seemed to herald better days in the capital for the tech giant. Instead, the company’s tactics have left it facing chilly White House relations and a multifront battle with the U.S. government. ‘The biggest middle-finger-to-Congress approach that I’ve ever seen.’
Jerich Beason joins Axonius as Advisor (Help Net Security) Axonius announced that CISO, CyberSide Chats podcast host, and SANS speaker Jerich Beason has joined the company as an advisor.
Check Point names Leo Lynch as ANZ channel chief (CRN Australia) Departs ArcServe/StorageCraft after more than five years.
Products, Services, and Solutions
RiskLens Introduces a Self-Service Risk Benchmarking Tool to Help Organizations Discover, Measure and Understand the Financial Impact of Their Cyber Risks (GlobeNewswire News Room) With minimal input, organizations can assess how they compare to their industry peers and communicate the findings to business executives in intuitive,...
Meta Releases Open Source Browser Extension for Checking Code Authenticity (SecurityWeek) Facebook parent company Meta this week announced the release of Code Verify, an open source browser extension meant to verify the authenticity of code served to the browser.
BlackOps Partners Leads Corporate Counterintelligence and Business Wargaming (eIN News) Tool Aids Senior Leaders Facing Unprecedented and Hidden Risk
RevBits Privileged Access Management secures gold and edges out ThycoticCentrify Secret Server in the 2022 Globee Awards® (PR Newswire) RevBits announced that it received gold-level recognition in the 2022 Globee Awards® for its' Privileged Access Management solution. The Globee...
Technologies, Techniques, and Standards
Council Post: How Companies Can Prepare For The Next Log4j (Forbes) Modern enterprises have thousands of applications, and some will require code changes, recompiling, retesting, resecuring and redeploying, so the fix is often quite complex.
Design and Innovation
Why Ethereum is switching to proof of stake and how it will work (MIT Technology Review) One of the world’s biggest blockchains is testing a new way to approve transactions. The move has been many years in the making but doesn’t come without risks.
Why Banks and NATO Are Worrying About a Future ‘Quantum Attack’ (Bloomberg) How soon might an ultra-powerful computer be able to crack any password? Soon enough for billions to be spent preparing now.
Research and Development
Whitepaper: Internet of Thinks: Securing the Brain Computer Interface (BCI) (Mynewsdesk) In our Internet of Thinks whitepaper we explore the emergence of Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) and how we can realise the benefits of our increasingly...
Academia
Buford students tackle cybersecurity (Atlanta Journal Constitution) Buford High STEM teacher Autumn Sutton has students who think they’re playing puzzles and taking on challenges when in fact, many are prepping for what may be their future careers in cybersecurity.
Legislation, Policy, and Regulation
Security lessons from Ukraine war: Is India prepared to counter state-sponsored 'hybrid war'? (Daiji World) As the Ukrainian government continues to fight a 'hybrid war' where Russia-backed threat actors are hitting their Internet networks while the ground forces attack physical infrastructure and key cities, India, which faces imminent threat at its borders from Pakistan and China.....
Russian footholds in Mideast, Africa raise threat to NATO (AP NEWS) Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine dominates world attention.
The Only Sensible Iran Strategy Is Containment (Foreign Policy) The most effective plan against the Islamic Republic has always been the most obvious—and the one nobody in Washington seems willing to try.
Government to introduce digital ID legislation (Computing) But there is no plan to introduce mandatory ID cards, DCMS says
Senate approves historic cyber incident reporting bill, sends to Biden's desk (The Record by Recorded Future) The Senate on Thursday passed landmark legislation that will mandate critical infrastructure operators alert the federal government when they are hacked or make a ransomware payment.
New hacking disclosure requirements could make cyberspace less opaque (Washington Post) Pulling back the curtain on the costs and damage done by hacks
Statement from CISA Director Easterly on the Passage of Cyber Incident Reporting Legislation (CISA) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly released the following statement today: “As the nation’s cyber defense agency, CISA applauds the passage of cyber incident reporting legislation. Thanks to the support of our many partners in Congress, CISA will have the data and visibility we need to help better protect critical infrastructure and businesses across the country from the devastating effects of cyber-attacks.
Haines names policy veteran as intel community’s new CIO (The Record by Recorded Future) Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines on Monday announced a longtime cyber policy expert as the clandestine community’s new chief information officer.
Pentagon names Navy's Palmieri as deputy for new digital and AI office (Breaking Defense) “Her deep knowledge and relationships within DoD will ensure the CDAO navigates and cuts through the bureaucracy to get things done,” said John Sherman, acting chief digital and artificial intelligence officer and DoD chief information officer.
Bringing home the Bats! - 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron returns to the VaANG after federal mobilization (DVIDS) The Virginia Air National Guard’s 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, 192nd Operations Group, 192nd Wing was recognized for their recent federal mobilization in support of United States Cyber Command’s 856th Cyber Protection Team and received the Virginia Governor’s National Service Medal at an end of mobilization ceremony Feb. 25, 2022, in Hampton, Virginia.
Litigation, Investigation, and Law Enforcement
VPN provider bans BitTorrent after getting sued by film studios (BleepingComputer) "No logs" VPN provider TorGuard has reached a legal settlement with over two dozen movie studios that sued the company for encouraging piracy and copyright infringement. In the settlement, TorGuard has agreed to block BitTorrent traffic for its users.
Cheshire has one of the highest rates of cybercrime in the UK, new study says (Warrington Guardian) CHESHIRE has one of the highest rates of cybercrime in the UK, according to a new study.
