Ukrainian cyber specialists have gained complete access to the computers and servers of the self-proclaimed authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea. This significant operation, confirmed by sources within the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, resulted in the acquisition of over 100 terabytes of intelligence data. The retrieved information is extensive, providing a comprehensive look into the inner workings of the occupation administration. It includes the official correspondence of Sergey Aksyonov, the so-called “head of Crimea,” along with working documents and communications from various ministries and government services. This rich cache of data offers crucial insights into Russia’s activities on the peninsula.
A key discovery within the obtained data is a large number of documents concerning the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children from the occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. The intelligence operation successfully acquired lists of minors who were forcibly taken by the occupation authorities to Crimea and mainland Russia. This information is highly detailed, containing personal information about the children, details about their guardians, and their places of residence and education. This critical intelligence has already been provided to law enforcement agencies to aid in the investigation of war crimes related to the abduction of Ukrainian children.
Beyond the information on war crimes, the cyber operation yielded extensive data on Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. This includes lists of Russian military personnel, complete with personal details and information about their relatives. The retrieved files also contain lists of both prisoners and those killed in the conflict, as well as official decisions regarding the payment of so-called “funeral allowances.” Furthermore, the data includes applications from Russian service members requesting land plots in occupied Crimea, revealing another layer of the occupation’s logistical and administrative processes.
The breach also uncovered separate files of official correspondence and meeting documents between the various ministries of the occupying authorities. These documents provide concrete evidence of a severe shortage of fuel and lubricants following Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. This finding confirms the significant impact of these attacks on Russia’s military and logistical capabilities in the region. The data gives a clear picture of the operational challenges the occupation government faces in maintaining its control.
According to an intelligence source, this is the second time in recent months that Ukrainian specialists have successfully infiltrated the servers of the occupation authorities in Crimea. This repeated success demonstrates the ongoing vulnerability of Russian-backed administrative systems in the occupied territories and highlights the effectiveness of Ukraine’s cyber operations. The information gained from this latest breach is not only valuable for current investigations but also provides a deeper understanding of the complexities and weaknesses of the Russian occupation.
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