Russian Hackers Planned to Disrupt Eurovision 2022

Daniel ZimmermannMay 17, 2022

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Russian hackers were suspected of attacking the computer network of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.

Cybercriminals tried to carry out DDoS attacks during the voting in the final of the music competition, but experts managed to stop them. This was announced on Twitter on Sunday by the press service of the Italian police.

Cyberattacks foiled from #PoliziadiStato to @Eurovision. The hackers tried to infiltrate but the activation of a 24-hour operations room dedicated to the event with #CNAIPIC staff from #PoliziaPostale allowed to neutralize and repel the #essercisempre attacks.the Italian Cyber Police tweeted.

Experts believe the Russian hacker group Killnet may be behind these actions.

Hackers tried to break into the computer network of the competition on the day of the first semi-final, May 10, and also carry out so-called DDoS attacks during the final voting on the night of May 15. According to experts, the Russian hacker group Killnet may be behind the attacks.Deutsche Welle journalists write.

Let me remind you that we also reported that Russian Hackers Launched a Massive Spear-Phishing Campaign, and also that Russian Hackers Intended to Shut Down Ukrainian Electrical Substances using Industroyer2 malware.

In the telegram channel coordinating the Legion group, on Saturday evening, even before the start of voting, a DDOS attack on the server of the Eurovision Song Contest was indeed coordinated. However, this attack lasted only 13 minutes, after which the coordinators instructed to stop the attack without explanation.

Russian hackers and Eurovision 2022

The reaction of the Russian side to this information is not given. The Russian authorities have always categorically denied allegations of links with hacker groups and involvement in attacks on various structures, including those in the countries of the European Union.

This year, Russia was deprived of the opportunity to participate in Eurovision due to an armed invasion of Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian group “Kalush Orchestra” won the 66th song contest held in Turin. Its leader Oleg Psyuk, after a speech, called for the rescue of the Ukrainian military, blocked in Mariupol at the Azovstal plant. “I ask all of you: please help Ukrainian Mariupol, help Azovstal right now,” Psyuk said.

After the competition, “Kalush Orchestra” showed a video for the song Stefania, with which she participated in Eurovision. The video contains footage of the destruction in Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel and Borodianka, which were occupied by the Russian army for some time. The clip ends with the call “Stand with Ukraine!”.