Loading...
Loading...
From the Colonial Pipeline to meat packing plants to rural water systems— documented Russian cyber attacks that have disrupted American lives and demonstrated the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
2024 FBI/CISA Warning: Russian hackers continue to target critical infrastructure. Rural utilities with limited security resources are particularly vulnerable.
Perpetrator: DarkSide
6-day shutdown of pipeline carrying 45% of East Coast fuel
Perpetrator: REvil
Slaughterhouses nationwide shut down
Perpetrator: APT29 (SVR)
18,000 organizations installed trojanized software
The largest cyber attack on US oil infrastructure in history
Entry Point: Compromised password for inactive VPN account—without multi-factor authentication
Data Theft: 100 gigabytes stolen in just 2 hours
Shutdown: Colonial proactively shut down pipeline to prevent further damage
Impact: Panic-buying, gas shortages, state of emergency
Policy Response
The attack led to Executive Order 14,028, the Cyber Incident Reporting Act, TSA Cybersecurity Directives, and creation of the Joint Ransomware Task Force.
GRU-linked hackers targeting American water infrastructure
CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn (CARR): Founded, funded, and directed by Russia's GRU military intelligence. Treasury Department sanctioned two members in July 2024.
Public drinking water systems targeted
Spoiled thousands of pounds of meat, ammonia leak
Wastewater treatment systems compromised
"Pro-Russia hacktivists have conducted an increasing number of unsophisticated attacks against water/wastewater systems since 2022, intending to generate public attention in support of Russia's war."
Rural farms and food processors are increasingly targeted
The food and agriculture sector saw 212 ransomware attacks in 2024—up from 167 in 2023. Russian hackers have demonstrated willingness to target everything from dairy farms to meat packing plants.
National slaughterhouse shutdown, $11M ransom
Unable to monitor herd vitals; cow and calf died
Two farms claimed as targets by Russian hackers
Operations disrupted, product shortages
Fresh produce, meat, dairy shortages in several states
Swiss Farm Tragedy (2023)
A ransomware attack on a dairy farm disabled the monitoring system for the herd. Unable to track vital signs, a cow and calf died—a stark reminder that cyber attacks on agriculture have real-world consequences.
Learn essential cybersecurity measures to defend against ransomware and other Russian cyber threats.