Hackers targeted a Russian state enterprise responsible for receiving and processing data from satellites.
This information is reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense in Telegram.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, a database of the Far Eastern Research Center for Space Hydrometeorology "Planeta" was destroyed in Russia. This Russian state enterprise at the federal level is involved in receiving and processing satellite data and provides products to over 50 state entities, primarily military.
The cyber attack against the Far Eastern (largest of the three) branch of space hydrometeorology was carried out by cyber volunteers from the "BO Team" group.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, the hackers managed to destroy 280 servers. The volume of destroyed information is approximately 2 petabytes (200 million gigabytes) of data. The estimated value of the lost digital assets for Russia is at least 10 million dollars.
Among the destroyed data are meteorological and satellite data actively used by the Ministry of Defense, the Russian Emergencies Ministry, "Roscosmos" (Russian space agency), and several other agencies. Additionally, years of accumulated unique research have been lost.
Furthermore, the supercomputer equipped at the center, which is not recoverable, is mentioned. Such a computing device, along with the software, costs 350 thousand dollars. The intelligence emphasizes that, under the current sanctions against Russia, obtaining such software is unlikely.
"Along with data repositories, servers, and computers, the cyberattack paralyzed the air conditioning and humidification systems, as well as the emergency power regulation of the center's building," highlights the Main Intelligence Directorate.