Zakharova confirms specialists are actively working to restore ministry’s online functionality following the attack
News Desk
MOSCOW: The Russian Foreign Ministry announced a “large-scale” cyberattack affecting its resources, specifically mentioning that its website is currently inaccessible. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reported that the attack, described as a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) incident, prompted the postponement of a scheduled press briefing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. Zakharova confirmed that specialists are actively working to restore the ministry’s online functionality following the attack.
The incident highlights growing concerns over cybersecurity amid rising geopolitical tensions. This cyberattack comes against a backdrop of increased scrutiny on foreign influence in upcoming events, particularly concerning the US elections. US intelligence officials have raised alarms about potential interference from foreign actors, including Russia, China, and Iran. They warn that these countries are likely to exploit divisive narratives and may consider tactics aimed at undermining confidence in the electoral process.
In a briefing, officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) stated that foreign operatives could engage in disinformation campaigns and physical threats around the November 5 elections. While they noted that there has been no evidence of coordinated efforts among these nations, they stressed that each could act independently to incite unrest and confusion during the election period. The intelligence community has learned from previous electoral cycles and believes these actors are better prepared to manipulate social media and information platforms to sow discord among American voters.
