Espreso. Global
OPINION

Kyivstar destroyed by Russians - Vitaly Portnikov

14 December, 2023 Thursday
15:00

Ukraine's Security Service has actually confirmed a statement by the Russian pseudo-hacker group Solntsepek, which boasted of destroying the capabilities of the Ukrainian cellular network Kyivstar

client/title.list_title

However, the company itself denies the scale of the attack, which was caused by the so-called Russian hackers. However, it is clear that it was Russian efforts that were behind the intentions to interrupt Kyivstar's operations, which will now resume indefinitely.

There is talk of a day to a week for the restoration of this work, but it is clear that the extent of the damage is so significant that it is hardly possible to say with certainty when Kyivstar will be able to return to full service to its subscribers. Thus, we can state that the Russian Federation has not only moved to a full-fledged cyber war with Ukraine, but also boasts of the results of this war and is not going to hide them.

We can say that there are no independent hackers in Russia. Moreover, Russian intelligence services can use the services of foreign hacker groups to achieve their goals of destabilizing the situation in the countries with which Russia is fighting, because the hacker attack on the Ukrainian cellular network is not the first hacker attack by Russians on the countries of the civilized world. Perhaps the largest one, but one that only reminds us that the Russian Federation is ready to wage war on all fronts, and their armed forces are just one of the tools that Russian President Vladimir Putin uses to destabilize the civilized world and restore Russian spheres of influence, which, in the view of Putin and his entourage, were illegitimately taken away by the West after the collapse of the communist empire in 1991.

Hacker warfare, which can destroy the infrastructure of countries against which Russia is waging aggressive actions, shows that Moscow is aware of the importance of modern warfare and has carefully prepared for it before starting its battle to restore the communist empire in its new criminal chauvinistic version, which is the main political goal of both Putin himself and the majority of Russians who support their leader's aggressive policy.

The Russians did not start pretending that they had nothing to do with the decline in Kyivstar's capabilities, that the company was a victim of its own technical problems, or, as they began to say on social media, that it was preparing for a possible nationalization due to the fact that Kyivstar's owners included Russian oligarchs under sanction. No, the Russians absolutely do not need Ukrainians to go on some kind of a back road and come up with theories that Russian special services and their hacker units are responsible.

After all, an important goal of the Russian attack on Kyivstar is not just to destabilize the situation in the neighboring country, which, from the point of view of Putin and his entourage, should soon become part of Russia after its final conquest. It is necessary that the citizens of Ukraine are subjected to Russian attacks not only from the air, with the help of troops, which, as we can see, can do little and were forced to stop their aggressive actions last November.

Ukrainians must realize that Russia will fight them by all possible means, combine violence, and not allow them to live a single day in peace, because, as you know, peaceful, quiet life in Ukrainian cities during the war irritated the Russians, created incredible hysteria among Russian propagandists, and they demanded that their own leadership do everything possible to ensure that the peaceful, quiet life of Ukrainians, the main achievement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during this war, was interrupted by panic and fear.

That is why last year, Russians attacked civilian infrastructure, trying to make life unbearable for Ukrainians in the cold and dark. That is why the Russians are continuing their efforts to destroy Ukrainian infrastructure right now.

However, as there are not many opportunities to strike civilian infrastructure with missiles and drones, they are also looking to use other areas of the fight against Ukraine. And we see how, on the one hand, a hacker attack destroys an entire cellular network, and on the other hand, we witness a ballistic missile strike on the Ukrainian capital.

It is obvious that those who planned this strike were thinking, first, about certain infrastructure goals that remained unrealized due to the work of the Ukrainian air defense system, and second, about the need to increase fear and apathy in Ukrainian society, to make Ukrainians believe that only capitulation to Putin's Russia can be an alternative to many years of living in hopelessness and waiting for new Russian attacks.

The only real response to these actions of the Russian political leadership and people can only be to keep the line, to realize that there is no alternative but to resist Russian efforts to conquer Ukraine, no matter how many months or years these brazen efforts of the neighboring state continue. The Russians do not hide the fact that it is they who are committing crimes, and, unfortunately, it is impossible to negotiate with a criminal, no matter what illusions either our Western partners or our compatriots may have about them.

There will be no agreements with Russia. The option of ending the war without Russia exists and is on the tables of both Ukrainian and Western leaders. It is only necessary to comprehend this option and realize how peaceful life will return to Ukraine in the 20s or 30s of this century.

Source

About the author. Vitaly Portnikov, journalist, winner of the Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine.

The editors don't always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
22 January
21:40
On Unity Day, Ukrainian symbols reappeared in the Russian-occupied cities of Crimea
Activists send greetings from Crimea on Ukraine’s Unity Day
21:15
If borders were opened, 70% of Ukrainians would not move abroad, survey shows
21:00
Trump calls on Russia to make deal to end Ukraine war, warns of sanctions and tariffs
20:39
Exclusive
U.S. Presidential change – opportunity for Ukraine that must be seized, says MP Syniutka
20:18
Exclusive
Military expert explains why Russian forces succeed in encircling settlements
19:56
From defense to offense: key steps Ukraine must take to win war
19:37
From 5,700 to 1,110: Decline of Ukraine’s tank force from 1993 to 2013
19:15
Interview
Ukraine has every chance to become success story for EU if it pursues reforms, unlocks its potential — EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius for Espreso
18:55
Ukrainian forces repel 41 Russian attacks in Pokrovsk sector
18:35
Russia shells Donetsk region 3,829 times over past day, causing multiple casualties
18:17
OPINION
Trump is back. His goal is 'golden age' for the USA, but where does Ukraine fit in it?
17:55
North Korea might send reinforcements to Kursk region, U.S. says
17:37
Russian army attacks Kostiantynivka with bombs, killing and injuring locals
17:16
OPINION
Kremlin's plan: war lasting lifetime of those who started it
16:55
EU Defense Commissioner Kubilius urges NATO to move military goals 14 years ahead due Russian threat
16:31
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 8-15
Russian forces may enter Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region as they advance toward Pokrovsk
16:10
Finnish 2S1 Gvozdika, also known as PSH 74, illustrative photo from open sources
Denmark supplies Ukraine with 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer
15:49
'Reason behind North Korean troops' involvement': NATO Commander Cavoli assesses Russia's breakthrough potential
15:32
Syria terminates investment deal with Russia over Tartus port control
15:14
OPINION
Donald Trump's promise of strong U.S. leadership must begin with Ukraine
14:55
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22
January 15-22 live war map: Russian forces launch assault on last stronghold in southern Donetsk region
14:43
Trump assigns envoy Kellogg to end war in Ukraine in 100 days — media
14:25
Exclusive
'Prepare for turbulence with mixed proposals': military expert Zgurets on Trump’s war settlement plan
14:06
Exclusive
Russia suffers heavy losses but fails to gain ground in Kupyansk sector — Achilles Battalion
13:50
Exclusive
Around 220 civilians refuse to evacuate Chasiv Yar despite ongoing fighting
13:32
OPINION
Trump's first statements and orders: what they reveal
13:14
Ukraine authorizes Poseidon unmanned aerial vehicle system for military use
12:57
Exclusive
Trump's 'hawks' must not repeat Obama's mistake — Ukrainian diplomat
12:38
Ukraine documents over 7,000 Russian environmental crimes amid ongoing war
12:21
OPINION
Trump: Putin is destroying Russia. Column by Vitaly Portnikov
12:00
Russia violates political prisoners' health rights in Crimea at least 64 times in 2024 — analysts
11:42
Ukrainian forces eliminate 21 North Korean fighters, wound 40 in Russia's Kursk region
11:23
121 combat clashes occur on Russian-Ukrainian front on Jan. 21 — General Staff
11:05
Ukraine will need at least 200,000 peacekeepers to ensure security after ceasefire - Zelenskyy
10:46
Exclusive
Trump has no reason to concede or compromise with Russia — international expert
10:28
Trump administration seeks lasting end to war in Ukraine — U.S. official
10:11
Exclusive
Putin appears to be 'CIA's best agent' — Ukrainian diplomat
09:52
Russia launches drone attack on Ukraine, causing casualties in Mykolaiv
09:34
Russia loses 1,950 soldiers, 60 artillery systems, 11 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Tuesday
21 January
21:30
Exclusive
Defense Express expert analyzes Russian military production rates amid war
More news