The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has initiated a criminal investigation into the cyber attack on the national mobile operator "Kyivstar".

This was reported by SSU press service.

The investigation is opened under eight articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which include responsibility for unauthorized interference with the operation of information systems, creation of malicious software, encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, state treason, sabotage, planning, preparation, unleashing, and conducting aggressive war, violation of laws and customs of war, as well as the creation, management of a criminal community or organization, and participation in it.

One of the versions being currently investigated by SSU investigators is that Russian special services may be behind this hacking attack.

Immediately after the incident, an operational-investigative group from the SSU went to the offices of the company to document all the circumstances of the attack.

Additionally, cybersecurity experts from the SSU are working at the scene, providing assistance to “Kyivstar” employees and coordinating efforts of all government agencies for the fastest possible restoration of the network.

Background:

On the morning of December 12, Kyivstar subscribers reported a communication outage. As of 11:00, the Minister of Infrastructure, Oleksandr Kubrakov, expressed hope that Kyivstar’s operations would be restored within 4-5 hours.

Later in the day, the CEO of the company, Oleksandr Komarov, announced that Kyivstar had become the target of a powerful hacker attack. Due to the attack, communication and internet services were temporarily unavailable. It is unknown when Kyivstar’s operations will be restored after the hacking attack.

There is no information in the National Police about searches at Kyivstar, as reported by some Telegram channels. SBU sources also currently do not confirm this information.

Kyivstar’s press service informed the public broadcaster that it was a hacker attack. The company assures that subscribers’ personal data has not been compromised.

Kyivstar subscribers cannot use communication from other operators due to internal roaming issues caused by the failure. The network outage has affected the operation of some POS terminals and ATMs of PrivatBank.

Photo: open sources