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Russians Used Malware On Android Devices To Track and Target Ukraine Artillery, Says Report (reuters.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the come-out-come-out-wherever-you-are dept.

schwit1 quotes a report from Reuters: A hacking group linked to the Russian government and high-profile cyber attacks against Democrats during the U.S. presidential election likely used a malware implant on Android devices to track and target Ukrainian artillery units from late 2014 through 2016, according to a new report released Thursday. The malware was able to retrieve communications and some locational data from infected devices, intelligence that would have likely been used to strike against the artillery in support of pro-Russian separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine, the report from cyber security firm CrowdStrike found. The hacking group, known commonly as Fancy Bear or APT 28, is believed by U.S. intelligence officials to work primarily on behalf of the GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency. The implant leveraged a legitimate Android application developed by a Ukrainian artillery officer to process targeting data more quickly, CrowdStrike said. Its deployment "extends Russian cyber capabilities to the front lines of the battlefield," the report said, and "could have facilitated anticipatory awareness of Ukrainian artillery force troop movement, thus providing Russian forces with useful strategic planning information."

2 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. I don't worry about the Russians. by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 0, Troll

    I don't worry about the Russians because my president and my favorite presidential candidate told us that worrying about them was foolish.

    "The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because the Cold War's been over for 20 years." - (President) Obama

    "It's somewhat dated to be looking backwards." - (Presidential Candidate) Clinton

    Also, my president is friends with the Russians and working to advance their interests in his last term. Why would they want to harm us?

    "This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility." - Obama

    "I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir." - (Russian President) Medvedev

  2. Re:Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    You do realize that if Russia invaded Ukraine it would be Georgia all over again. It would literally be over in a few days. Also, Russia is a nation with one of the most advanced and active space programs, I am sure they have plenty of satellites that can detect artillery units far more accurately.

    But whatever feeds your russophobia ;)