Pro-Russian hackers attacked Norway's government systems
The pro-Russian group Server Killers carried out a series of cyberattacks against Norway’s public sector. As a result of the attack, dozens of the country’s government services were down for three days, and information about the national budget was leaked.
According to the Center for Cyber Security, one of the hackers’ targets was the Norwegian Agency for Digitalization. The attack caused widespread disruptions to dozens of government services. The outage lasted about three days. At the same time, it was revealed that information related to Norway’s national budget had been leaked. The pro-Russian group Server Killers claimed responsibility for the attack. It stated that it acted intentionally and explained the reason for the attack.
According to the hackers, they allegedly sought to take revenge on Norway for its policy toward Ukraine. Specifically, this refers to the signing of the Oslo Agreement on Strategic Partnership with Ukraine and the extension of financial support for Kyiv through 2027. The CPD noted that Server Killers has been active since at least 2023. Previously, the group also attacked government and other resources in Romania and Canada. “The pro-Russian hacker group Server Killers carried out a series of large-scale cyberattacks on Norway’s government sector,” the Center for Countering Disinformation reported.
The Center believes that such attacks are part of Russia’s hybrid war. Cyberattacks are used as a means of pressure against countries that support Ukraine and make decisions unfavorable to Moscow. In this case, according to the Center’s assessment, the goal may have been to create problems for Norwegian government agencies and to pressure the country due to its support for Ukraine. “The use of cyberattacks as a direct response to the diplomatic and financial actions of European states is a classic manifestation of Russia’s hybrid warfare,” the Center noted.
The Center also emphasized that Russia systematically attempts to influence Ukraine’s partner countries not only through military or political means. Cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and other similar operations can be used to exert additional pressure on governments and societies. According to the CPD, one of the main goals of such attacks is to weaken support for Ukraine from its allies.
The Center believes that partner countries need to strengthen joint protection of government information systems and improve the exchange of data on cyber threats. It also advocates for new sanctions against pro-Russian hacker networks. The attack on Norway demonstrates once again that support for Ukraine can trigger Russian hybrid operations against European states. Cyberattacks, in this context, may target not only military facilities but also ordinary government services on which citizens depend. At this time, Norwegian authorities must determine the full extent of the attack’s consequences and identify exactly what data may have fallen into the hands of unauthorized parties. The Cyber Disinformation Response Center under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council reported on the cyberattacks.
On Saturday evening, Norway’s new King Haakon VIII delivered his first speech as monarch following the death of his father, King Harald. YLE News reported this, citing SVT and NRK. In his speech, he thanked everyone for their support following King Harald’s death and praised his father’s work both as king and in his family life.
