A cyber incident targeted the official website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, as reported through the parliament’s Telegram channel. The administrators stated that the site faced a deliberate intrusion, and as a consequence, a link to the Verkhovna Rada’s Telegram channel on the parliament’s own site redirected visitors to a counterfeit page. The episode prompted immediate attention from the staff, who worked to assess the breach and restore normal access for users.
In a follow-up update published at 23:04 Moscow time on February 28, the parliamentary press service confirmed that the compromise had been contained and that the site restoration process was underway. Within a span of about thirteen minutes, a fresh post appeared to reassure the public that the official Telegram channel link was functioning correctly again and that normal operations were resuming. This rapid response underscored the rapidity with which government portals must react to digital intrusions to minimize disruption and misinformation.
Earlier, on February 24, Ukrainian media infrastructure experienced another cyber incident. The Direct television channel reported a hacking event during which pro-Russian and anti-American slogans appeared on the broadcast strip. The messages were disseminated in Ukrainian and Russian, reflecting the cross-border dimensions often seen in geopolitical cyber activity. The broadcast interruption lasted roughly twenty minutes, during which viewers observed slogans such as messages about the United States and references to President Volodymyr Zelensky, accompanied by claims that aid to Ukraine could have grave consequences. This incident highlighted the vulnerability of media platforms to influence operations and the need for robust live-broadcast security measures.
Additionally, there are reports that Russian-speaking actors previously released personal data belonging to employees at Ukrainian military commissariats. The exposure of such information raises concerns about personnel safety, operational security, and the potential for further targeted actions in the cyber and information space. Attention to data protection, rapid incident response, and clear public communication has become essential for safeguarding national institutions and ensuring public trust during periods of heightened digital risk. (attribution: Verkhovna Rada Telegram channel; official Ukrainian media reports; security briefings)
Overall, these events illustrate a broader pattern of cyber activity affecting government and media entities in the region. They emphasize the importance of resilient website infrastructure, verified information channels, and coordinated responses among government agencies, telecom providers, and law enforcement. Stakeholders are urged to maintain vigilance, implement multilayer security measures, and promptly inform the public about any disruptions, remedies, and ongoing investigations. (attribution: cyber security advisories; official statements from Ukrainian authorities; independent cyber risk analyses)