OREANDA-NEWS. Russia-linked hackers have likely infiltrated Ukraine's critical computer networks, preparing to disrupt them if they escalate, the Washington Post writes, citing recently declassified US intelligence data. At the same time, the publication does not provide evidence of Moscow's involvement in these actions.

Among the targets allegedly targeted by the hackers are companies providing critical services such as electricity, transportation, finance and telecommunications, a senior US official said on condition of anonymity. He noted that the purpose of such actions would be either to support military operations, or to sow panic and destabilize the situation.

We do not know if they intend to do so. But we are working with Ukraine to strengthen their cyber defense,” the source said.

According to another anonymous official, hackers who work for Russian intelligence agencies were allegedly able to detect inside Ukrainian systems. According to the publication, they allegedly developed special malicious software to use it against computers in Ukraine.

On the eve of a DDoS attack, a number of Ukrainian sites were subjected to, among which were the resources of the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces, Privatbank and Oschadbank.

Prior to this, unknown hackers hacked into the website of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine and published a threatening message in Ukrainian, Polish and Russian on it. It states that the personal data of citizens has become public and will be destroyed on computers. Unknown hackers said that this is a retribution for the "past, present and future" of the country. Similar messages soon appeared on the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.