On Wednesday, July 15, it was reported that an operation successfully dismantled the hacker group NoName057(16), known for its numerous attacks on Ukraine and its allies, particularly critical infrastructure in Europe.
The operation, dubbed «Eastwood», was conducted in cooperation with Europol and Eurojust, as reported by Ukrinform.
During the operation, a botnet used for malicious activities was destroyed, and several suspects were identified, including key figures residing in the Russian Federation.
It was noted that the group NoName057(16) has actively supported Russia's aggression against Ukraine since the onset of the conflict.
The operation involved law enforcement agencies from twelve countries, including the Czech Republic, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the USA. They conducted simultaneous operations against the offenders. As a result, two individuals were apprehended: one in France and one in Spain.
German authorities issued several arrest warrants for suspects in the Russian Federation, two of whom are believed to be the main organizers of the hacker group's activities.
In total, seven arrest warrants were issued for six Russian nationals suspected of multiple attacks on critical infrastructure in Europe, including energy suppliers and transportation systems.
The operation also involved twenty-four searches, including one in a French branch of the group, where a significant amount of evidence was seized.
The hackers utilized DDoS attacks to overload websites and applications, rendering them inaccessible to users.
The NoName057(16) group conducted several attacks on critical infrastructure during significant political events, causing considerable public concern.
According to European agencies, the group carried out 14 attacks in Germany, affecting around 230 organizations, including arms factories and government entities.
Attacks also occurred across Europe during elections, particularly in Sweden, where government and banking websites were targeted.
By the end of 2024, the hackers claimed responsibility for cyberattacks on the websites of several French cities. Recently, the Netherlands also became a target for hackers during the NATO summit.
