ARMA reported a cyberattack on the eve of the bidding process for IDS Ukraine's assets
On August 18, ARMA’s servers were subject to unauthorized access with signs of a hacker attack. The incident occurred on the eve of the August 22 deadline for submitting applications for the competition to select an asset manager for IDS Ukraine, and the agency stated that the attack would not affect the competition.
According to ARMA’s acting chair, Yaroslava Maksymenko, the cyberattack took place on the eve of the deadline for submitting applications for the competition to select an asset manager for IDS Ukraine.
The agency links these events to possible attempts to disrupt the selection process and points to the alleged existence of coordinated information pressure involving Russian capital.
Maksymenko noted that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) are already investigating the circumstances of the server breach and the unauthorized access to the Agency’s internal registries.
At the same time, ARMA emphasizes that the cyberattack will not affect the course of the competition and that the selection will take place within the timeframes established by law.
The IDS Ukraine group of companies categorically rejected any insinuations of involvement in the events surrounding ARMA and called on officials to refrain from making baseless accusations.
The company stressed that any statements or accusations must be based on the official results of law enforcement investigations, not on assumptions.
IDS Ukraine also noted that the company operates transparently, in accordance with Ukrainian law, supplies the market with products, pays taxes, and supports Ukraine’s economy and its Armed Forces.
“References to our brand in the context of cyberattacks or the chaotic actions of ARMA officials are nothing short of surprising, as such claims lack any logical or factual basis,” the company emphasized.
Separately, the company commented on ARMA’s statement regarding the audit of the company’s financial performance and overall operations.
IDS Ukraine noted that it sees no logic in conducting another audit immediately before the tender’s conclusion, but is ready to cooperate with regulatory authorities.
The company also emphasized that it has already undergone similar audits, which found no evidence of illegal activity.
“We hope that after this audit, all unfounded allegations against our business will finally be dismissed once and for all,” IDS Ukraine stated.
ARMA’s statements regarding external pressure and cyberattacks raise questions among legal professionals and market experts, especially given the criticisms directed at the Agency’s own operations.
Experts are highlighting issues regarding compliance with procedural requirements, the legal grounds for the seizure of assets, their valuation, and the transparency of the tender process for selecting IDS Ukraine’s administrator.
In this context, ARMA’s emphasis on external interference may divert attention from the internal legal issues surrounding the selection process. At the same time, a final assessment of the legality of the Agency’s actions and the circumstances of the cyberattack must be provided by the competent authorities.
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