Kyivstar, the Ukrainian telecom operator, has dismissed circulating claims that its servers and computers were damaged in a recent cyberattack. The denial came after posts surfaced on Kyivstar’s official Facebook page, noting that the ownership of the platform belongs to Meta, a company that has faced scrutiny and bans in certain jurisdictions.
In a clear statement, Kyivstar refuted reports suggesting that hardware within its data centers had been destroyed. The company emphasized that such claims were unfounded and misleading, aimed at creating alarm rather than reflecting reality.
The operator also pushed back against media stories alleging that customer personal data had been compromised as a result of the breach. Kyivstar indicated that, based on their assessment, the system responsible for storing user information remained unaffected, maintaining the integrity of subscriber data.
During the communication, Kyivstar cautioned about screenshots circulating on Telegram channels that appeared to show technological data. The operator asserted that those images were selectively gathered and did not pertain to the personal data of subscribers. Kyivstar concluded with a firm assurance that customers’ personal information remains secure and protected.
The cyber incident involving Kyivstar occurred on December 12, 2023, when cybercriminals launched an attack on the Ukrainian network. The following day, a pro-Russian hacker group named Solntsepek claimed responsibility for the intrusion, signaling the broader geopolitical dimensions of the event.
In hindsight, earlier attempts to breach Kyivstar by Russian-aligned actors were documented as more impactful than initially expected. This sequence underscores the persistent risk landscape faced by Ukrainian telecommunications operators amid ongoing tensions in the region.
Source: Kyivstar confirms that the practicality of the attack did not extend to erasing or damaging core infrastructure, and the safety of customer data remains a priority. The company continues to monitor system integrity and reinforce protections to prevent similar incidents in the future. Source: Kyivstar.