Putin in chilling warning about ‘real aggression’ against Russia in new speech

Russian President Vladimir Putin claims there has been a surge in foreign attacks conducted by “state agents” rather than individual hackers against Moscow since the start of his “special operation” in Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has issued a chilling warning about “real aggression” by his enemies in a speech to his Security Council in Russia.

Putin claims there has been a surge in foreign attacks against Russia since the start of his “special operation” in Ukraine.

He added these attacks have been coming from state players rather than individual hackers.

Russia’s financial and media institutions were among the facilities hit, he said.

But the tyrant claims the attacks have failed, before calling on Russia to improve its cyber defences by cutting the risk of using foreign software and hardware.

“Purposeful attempts are being made to disable the Internet resources of Russia’s critical information infrastructure”, Putin said.

At the start of May, Russian tech terrorists threatened to shut down ventilators in British hospitals, it was claimed.

It came a few days after an alleged cyber criminal and supporter of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin was arrested in the UK on May 1.

The accused, who is said to be London-based, was detained after a police raid in the aftermath of a cyber assault on government and media websites in Romania, according to reports.

He was reportedly a member of hacking group Killnet, which has since warned it will disable NHS ventilators, as well as those in Romania and Moldova if he is not released.

The ‘gang’ has claimed responsibility for the attacks, committed in retaliation for the country’s support for Ukraine.

The official government webpage and defence ministry were targeted, as well as political parties and other companies.

A source told The Sun : “The UK has robust cyber security measures in place and, working with partners, the NCA would lead an appropriate response to any cyber crime incident having a significant impact on the UK.”

It comes after the world’s top intelligence alliance warned last month Russian hackers are plotting cyber attacks on the NHS, nuclear power plants and Whitehall ministries.

The Five Eyes security network – involving the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – issued an alert accusing the Russian government of exploring options for potential web assaults against critical organisations.

The spy coalition urged them to bolster cyber defences as they face a heightened risk of Kremlin-sponsored attacks.

According to the alert, “evolving intelligence” suggests hackers within the Russian government are seeking to engage in “malicious cyber activity” in response to the “unprecedented economic sanctions” imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

And in April, it emerged Russian hackers were plotting cyber attacks on the NHS, nuclear power plants and Whitehall ministries, the world’s top intelligence alliance warned in April.

The Five Eyes security network – involving the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – issued an alert accusing the Russian government of exploring options for potential web assaults against critical organisations.

The spy coalition urged them to bolster cyber defences as they face a heightened risk of Kremlin-sponsored attacks.

According to the alert, “evolving intelligence” suggests hackers within the Russian government are seeking to engage in “malicious cyber activity” in response to the “unprecedented economic sanctions” imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

There is also concern that hackers are targeting critical infrastructure in countries that have provided “materiel support” to Ukrainian forces.