Microsoft: Russian Cyberattacks Increase Against Ukraine, Supporters

Even as the Russo-Ukrainian war continues grassing with no end in sight, Microsoft has warned that Russia is increasing its cyberwarfare-based attacks against Ukraine and the countries that have vowed to support it against external aggressions. The Redmond-based company says that Russia is increasing the rate and complexity of its attacks not only on government agencies, but also on supporting infrastructures such as think thanks, telecommunications, energy, and defense companies. Even humanitarian groups, which have been tirelessly providing Ukraine’s population with the resources needed for bare survival, have been in the sights of the former Soviet Union.

All in all, Microsoft has registered attacks 102 organizations from as many as 42 countries. Microsoft’s numbers place around 60% of the attacks against NATO members – with the US being one of the favorite targets. Poland too has been particularly affected, being one of the distribution centers for provisions – and a hub for refugees to leave the embattled country. Despite that, Microsoft says only around 29% of the attacks have been successful – likely a testament to both Russia’s technological difficulties and the overall reinforced networks and cybersecurity defenses of NATO countries. Even so, resources spent fighting Russia’s attacks have an opportunity cost – they can’t be spent elsewhere.

As part of Microsoft’s strategic retreat from the Russian markets, the company has announced it is laying off hundreds of workers in the Russian state, while also recently blocking downloads of its popular Windows OS. As Russia’s technology is generally far behind that of western countries, these moves by Redmond are sure to make things more difficult for Russian state actors involved in the “special military operation” – invasion – of Ukraine, started in February 24th of this year.