Norway spy chief blames Russian hackers for dam sabotage in April
By Nerijus Adomaitis
Russian hackers briefly took control of a dam in Norway earlier this year, the head of the Nordic country’s counter-intelligence agency said on Wednesday, the first time Oslo has officially attributed the cyberattack to its neighbor.
While in command of the dam in Bremanger, western Norway, on April 7, the hackers opened a flood gate and released 500 liters (132 gallons) of water per second for four hours before the attack was detected and stopped, authorities previously said.
No one was injured during the attack.
Norway produces most of its electricity via hydropower dams and intelligence authorities have previously warned of the risk of attacks on its energy infrastructure.
“Over the past year, we have seen a change in activity from pro-Russian cyber actors,” Beate Gangaas, head of Norway’s PST security police agency, said in a speech.
The incident at Bremanger was one such activity, Gangaas added.
“The aim of this type of operation is to influence and to cause fear and chaos among the general population,” she said.
“Our Russian neighbor has become more dangerous.”
The Russian embassy in Oslo did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Last September, Britain’s spy chief accused Russia of waging a “staggeringly reckless campaign” of sabotage in Europe, partly to scare European countries from helping Ukraine. Moscow denies
this is true.
After her speech, Gangaas told Reuters that she was going public with the attribution to warn the general population and to try to prevent Russia launching further attacks.
“I want Norwegians to be prepared,” she said in an interview.
NATO-member Norway shares a border with Russia in the Arctic. Like the other Nordic countries, it is a staunch supporter of Ukraine. It is also Europe’s largest supplier of gas, which is mostly transported via a network of pipelines under the North Sea.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: More soldiers, more money. Canada’s top soldier extols benefits of spending boost, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark to expand Arctic surveillance with purchase of long-range drones, Reuters
Greenland: Europeans step up Arctic diplomacy amid U.S. and global pressure, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Finland hails plan for allies to join NATO land forces in North, The Independent Barents Observer
Iceland: Europe’s Von der Leyen strengthens Arctic security ties with Iceland during visit, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Oslo takes measures against Russian ‘shadow fleet’, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian pilots learn to target long-range drones in Barents Sea combat drill, The Associated Press
Sweden: Nordic-Baltic region joins forces around Sweden’s CV90, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: EU urges Trump to defend security interests at upcoming Alaska summit with Putin, The Associated Press
