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Ukraine Hacks Russia’s War Networks in Africa and on the Frontline

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Photo of Ivan Khomenko
News Writer
Ukrainian intelligence personnel demonstrate a Magura naval drone during a media presentation at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Illustrative photo. (Source: Getty Images)
Ukrainian intelligence personnel demonstrate a Magura naval drone during a media presentation at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Illustrative photo. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukrainian military intelligence has reportedly compromised secure Russian military communication terminals both along the frontline in Ukraine and on the African continent, according to several statements published by the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense on November 29.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine stated it successfully breached protected communications used by the Russian Armed Forces across multiple theaters of operation. These include not only Russian positions along the frontline in Ukraine, but also installations located in African countries where Russian forces or affiliated units operate.

Map showing the density of breached Russian secure communication terminals along the frontline in eastern and southern Ukraine, with hotspots near Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk. (Source: HUR)
Map showing the density of breached Russian secure communication terminals along the frontline in eastern and southern Ukraine, with hotspots near Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk. (Source: HUR)

The Ukrainian intelligence services employed a combination of technical reconnaissance and operational fieldwork to identify and penetrate these secure Russian systems.

“In the context of high-tech warfare, timely exposure of the enemy’s plans and intentions becomes critically important,” the agency said in an official statement. It added that Ukrainian reconnaissance units focus on tracking command posts and gathering intelligence from them, with the objective of either exploiting or destroying these nodes when possible.

Geolocation of Russian military communication terminals compromised by Ukrainian intelligence in West Africa. (Source: HUR)
Geolocation of Russian military communication terminals compromised by Ukrainian intelligence in West Africa. (Source: HUR)

The communication systems reportedly breached by Ukrainian forces were described as “networks of special secure communication terminals” used by the Russian military. These terminals are believed to play a key role in the coordination and command of Russian operations both in Ukraine and abroad.

HUR stated that intelligence was collected from these terminals over a period of time before officials decided to publicly disclose their geolocation and authorize their destruction. No technical details were released regarding the methods used in the breach, nor were specific terminal locations identified.

Earlier, Ukrainian cyber units disrupted Russia’s fuel and telecom infrastructure in a major digital offensive, causing up to $3 million in losses, according to Ukrinform on September 8.

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