Cyber specialists from the Defence Ministry's DIU attacked a number of Russian TV channels. Russian television broadcasted truthful videos about the war in Ukraine, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing sources in the intelligence services.
The video from the DIU was shown three times in prime time on Pervouralsk TV, Eurasia 360, Eurasia Channel One and others. Some of the attacked channels are part of the media holding of local oligarch Andrey Komarov.
Russian cybersecurity experts tried to remedy the situation. However, their actions resulted in the suspension of broadcasting of nine Russian TV channels at once, namely Eurasia 360, Eurasia Channel One, Pervouralsk TV, Luhansk 24, First Republican, Spb, Oplot, TV-3, and First Russian.
The sources emphasise that this did not prevent the DIU cyber specialists from maintaining access to the TV companies' servers.
As a result, a number of TV channels were forced to stop broadcasting for a long time after the attack. This is evidenced by public appeals to viewers.
As of the morning of 22 August, only Eurasia 360 and TV-3 had partially resumed their work. The broadcasting of other channels remains blocked.
The management of Pervouralsk TV made an official statement.
"The TV channel's live stream has been subjected to a hacker attack. The attackers gained access to the live stream and launched unauthorised video materials that contradict the channel's policy. Our experts are currently taking all necessary additional security measures. In this regard, broadcasting will be suspended until 11.00 a.m. on 22 August. We have already reported the crime to law enforcement and recorded the offence," the Russian TV channel said in a statement.