Russian hacker attack did not lead to leaks from databases or state information resources – acting ARMA head

Acting Head of the National Agency for Finding, Tracing and Management of Assets Derived from Corruption and Other Crimes (ARMA) Yaroslava Maksymenko confirmed information about a hacker attack carried out against the Agency’s employees but stated that the attackers were unable to gain access to the department’s internal information systems.

"The Digital Transformation Department, in cooperation with the State Special Communications Service, verified information about a possible information leak resulting from a cyberattack incident involving the potential participation of Russian hackers. According to the results of the check, it was established that no access to internal information systems was obtained, and no leaks from databases or state information resources occurred," Maksymenko said in an exclusive comment to the Interfax-Ukraine agency.

According to her, the situation currently concerns access to the email boxes of state body employees. "The information has been passed to law enforcement agencies for legal assessment and a decision in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine," Maksymenko reported.

As reported, more than 170 email accounts belonging to prosecutors and investigators across Ukraine have been hacked over the past few months by hackers linked to the aggressor state. Reuters reported on Wednesday that hackers breached accounts of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the defence sphere and the prosecutor training centre; attacks were also aimed at ARMA, which, among other things, controls assets seized from criminals and Russian collaborators.

It is reported that the Russian spy campaign also affected military and government accounts in Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Serbia.