Sweden Attributes Failed Heating Plant Cyberattack to Pro-Russian Group
Summary
Sweden’s civil defense minister said a pro-Russian group linked to Russian security and intelligence services targeted a western Swedish heating plant last year, but the attack failed. Sweden gave no further details.
Key points
- Sweden publicly disclosed the attack for the first time; the target was a heating plant in western Sweden.
- Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin attributed the attack to a pro-Russian group linked to Russian security and intelligence services; he provided no further details.
- Bohlin said attacks on systems controlling critical infrastructure could have serious consequences for society.
- Bohlin compared the attack with December cyberattacks on Polish energy facilities, including combined heat and power plants, wind farms and solar farms.
- The Kremlin has previously denied carrying out a sabotage campaign across Europe.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Reported cyberattack targeting a heating plant in western Sweden, attributed by Swedish officials to an unnamed pro-Russian group with links to Russia’s security and intelligence services.
- Impact
- The attack failed, and no further details were disclosed. The targeted systems control critical infrastructure and could have serious societal consequences if disrupted.
People
Countries
DenmarkThe announcement followed warnings from officials in Poland, Norway, Denmark and Latvia that Russia is attacking critical infrastructure across Europe.LatviaThe announcement followed warnings from officials in Poland, Norway, Denmark and Latvia that Russia is attacking critical infrastructure across Europe.NorwayThe announcement followed warnings from officials in Poland, Norway, Denmark and Latvia that Russia is attacking critical infrastructure across Europe.PolandThe announcement followed warnings from officials in Poland, Norway, Denmark and Latvia that Russia is attacking critical infrastructure across Europe.RussiaSweden said Wednesday that a pro-Russian group with links to Russia’s security and intelligence services was behind a cyberattack on a heating plant last year.SwedenSweden said Wednesday that a pro-Russian group with links to Russia’s security and intelligence services was behind a cyberattack on a heating plant last year.Ukraineby The Associated Press and linked to Russia by Western officials since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Officials say a goal of the attacks is to undermine support for Ukraine, spread fear