A notorious pro-Russian hacker network that waged digital war on Ukraine and its NATO allies has been dismantled in a major global operation, marking one of the most significant blows yet against Kremlin-linked cybercrime.
The group, known as NoName057(16), had long been on the radar of international intelligence agencies due to its aggressive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on critical infrastructure across Europe. Now, thanks to coordinated efforts by cyber security units from multiple nations, the gang’s online presence has been crushed, its networks severed, and its key members unmasked.
The announcement came from Ukraine’s State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection, who confirmed that the group’s communications channels and digital platforms have been seized, and several individuals involved are now under investigation or arrest in different jurisdictions.
“This is a significant win not only for Ukraine but for all nations fighting back against hostile cyber warfare,” the agency stated in an official release.
NoName057(16) had targeted government websites, defence contractors, banks, and media outlets across Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and several Baltic states. Though often dismissed as digital vandalism, the group’s attacks had a tangible impact, temporarily disabling access to emergency services and key infrastructure portals during wartime.
Ukraine’s cyber defences, bolstered by international support, have become significantly more robust since the Russian invasion in 2022. This latest victory is being hailed as evidence of the growing effectiveness of multinational cyber alliances in countering digital threats tied to hostile states.
Cyber experts believe the takedown of NoName057(16) will create a ripple effect, potentially destabilising other pro-Russian cyber cells operating under similar banners. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have warned that reprisals or copycat attacks may follow in the short term.
Nonetheless, the message is clear: digital warfare has consequences, and the West is no longer content to sit back and watch.
“This kind of international cyber strike is just the beginning,” said one senior analyst. “We’re seeing the rise of a digital NATO, and that changes the game.”
