Security

Ukraine cyberattack shuts down Russian bank ATMs

Photo: Adobe Stock

July 29, 2024

Ukraine recently launched a cyberattack against Russian banks, which successfully shut down ATMs in banks including VTB Bank, Alfa-Bank, Sberbank, iBank and more. This is an overall strategy in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine which began when Russian invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to a report by Kyiv Post.

Customers at Russian banks were unable to withdraw cash from ATMs due to the attacks blocking their debit and credit cards.

The attack first began on July 23rd and it successfully froze bank payment systems, mobile apps, prevent public transport payments, interrupted Russian mobile and internet providers Beeline, MeganFon, Tele2 and Rostelecom and access bank databases.

An anonymous source said the attack is "gaining momentum" and "this is an opportune moment to fully implement the Kremlin's long-desired 'import substitution' in the form of wooden abacuses, paper savings books, and cave paintings for accounting."