Hacking Group Anonymous Wages ‘Cyber War’ Against Russia

Hacking collective Anonymous has declared a “cyber war” against Russia in response to Russia’s actual war in Ukraine.

According to multiple published reports Friday (Feb. 25), the group announced its intent on Twitter shortly after Russian forces began their push into Ukraine.

“The Anonymous collective is officially in cyber war against the Russian government,” the message said, followed by the hashtags #Anonymous and #Ukraine.

The Anonymous collective is officially in cyber war against the Russian government. #Anonymous #Ukraine

— Anonymous (@YourAnonOne) February 24, 2022

According to Russia Today (RT), a state-controlled media operation, the hackers targeted the websites of the Kremlin, the Duma, the Ministry of Defense, and RT itself, with some websites slowing or others going offline throughout the day.

The group also said it plans to escalate its attack on Russia. Again, from Twitter, but from a different account:

“We are convinced that sanctions against Putin’s criminal regime will have no effect. We call on countries that support #Ukraine to sever ties with #Russia and expel Russian ambassadors. #Anonymous will intensify cyber attacks on the Kremlin this afternoon.(Moscow Time) #OpRussia.”

We are convinced that sanctions against Putin’s criminal regime will have no effect. We call on countries that support #Ukraine to sever ties with #Russia and expel Russian ambassadors. #Anonymous will intensify cyber attacks on the Kremlin this afternoon.(Moscow Time) #OpRussia pic.twitter.com/Is5ry0rTsF

— Anonymous TV (@YourAnonTV) February 25, 2022

Read more: Russian Banks Say They Can Weather Sanctions

The sanctions imposed Thursday (Feb. 24) target the Russian economy as well as the assets and incomes of certain wealthy Russians with ties to President Vladimir Putin. On Friday, European leaders imposed further sanctions, this time freezing Putin’s own assets.

The sanctions have not yet reached the point of blocking Russia from the SWIFT payments system — a step called for by political leaders in the U.K. and the U.S. as well as Ukraine’s president. U.S. President Joe Biden said such a move could still happen.

If Russia were cut off from SWIFT,  it would be barred from most international financial transactions, including those involving oil and gas, which makes up more than 40% its revenue.

Biden has argued that the current sanctions are “more consequential” than the “nuclear option” of cutting off Russia’s access to much of the global financial system.

Anonymous has targeted a range of targets over the years, including U.S. government agencies like the CIA, as well as ISIS, the Westboro Baptist Church and the Church Of Scientology.