Real 'Cyber War': Espionage, DDoS, Leaks, and Wipers in the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine's 2022 invasion has seen unprecedented cyber warfare, including espionage, DDoS attacks, leaks, and wipers, causing significant economic damage and fuelling concerns over nation-state threats and international cooperation.

Key takeaways
  • The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 involved significant cyber warfare, including espionage, DDoS attacks, leaks, and wipers.
  • The wipers, such as ISEC Wiper, Hermetic Wiper, and Argupatch, destroyed data on systems, causing significant economic damage.
  • The Russian threat actors used a variety of tools, including malware, backdoors, and IDA pro debuggers, to gain access to Ukrainian systems.
  • The conflict has led to a “fog of war” for cybersecurity professionals, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious activity.
  • The international community has not formally defined what constitutes “cyber war,” but the Russian invasion highlights the need for clear definitions and standards.
  • The conflict has also led to condemnation of the Russian government by the US, UK, and EU, who have officially blamed Russia for the attacks.
  • The war has highlighted the importance of nation-state action and international cooperation in responding to cyber attacks.