CyberBerkut (Russian: КиберБеркут, Ukrainian: КіберБеркут) is a modern organized group of pro-Russian hacktivists.[1] The group became locally known for a series of publicity stunts and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on Ukrainian government, and western or Ukrainian corporate websites.[2] By 2018, this group was accused by western intelligence agencies, such as National Cyber Security Centre (United Kingdom) of being linked to the GRU, providing plausible deniability.[3]
Formation | c. 2014 |
---|---|
Type | Virtual community;Voluntary association |
Purpose | Internet activism;Internet vigilantism |
Region served | Ukraine |
Membership | Unknown |
Website | cyber-berkut |
The group emerged after the dissolution of special police force "Berkut" that became notorious for its violent repression used during the EuroMaidan demonstrations.[4] The group is anonymous.[citation needed] Their proclaimed goals are fighting against neo-fascism, neo-nationalism and arbitrary power in Ukraine.[citation needed] To further this aim, CyberBerkut activists targeted the "Right Sector" IT resources.[citation needed] CyberBerkut targets included NATO, and its allies.[5]
The group also publishes pro-Donetsk People's Republic videos.[1] In one of them it is claimed that Ukrainian security forces are living under a "Jewish occupation".[1]
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