NATIONAL NEWS

Russian hackers target Western firms shipping aid to Ukraine, US intelligence says

May 22, 2025, 1:45 PM

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, Ukrainian servicemen pra...

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, Ukrainian servicemen practice at the military training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Thursday, May 22, 2025, (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hackers working for Russian military intelligence targeted Western technology and logistics companies involved in shipping assistance to Ukraine, the U.S. National Security Agency said.

The hackers were trying to obtain details about the type of assistance entering Ukraine and, as part of the effort, sought access to the feeds of internet-connected cameras near Ukrainian border crossings, according to on the cyberattack, which was issued late Wednesday.

The cyber campaign sought to penetrate defense, transportation and logistics companies in several Western countries, including the U.S., as well as ports, airports and rail systems. The report didn’t specify which types of aid Russia was surveilling, but Ukraine’s allies have contributed significant amounts of military and humanitarian assistance since the war began.

More than 10,000 internet-connected cameras were targeted, including private devices and public traffic cameras near critical transportation points, such as ports, rail hubs or border crossings. Most were in Ukraine, though some were in Romania, Poland and other eastern or central European countries.

Officials did not disclose details about the hackers’ success or how long they remained unnoticed. The activity detailed in the report began in 2022, the same year that Russia invaded Ukraine.

Russia is expected to continue its efforts to spy on aid shipments, and companies involved in aid logistics or shipments should be on guard, according to the report, which was issued jointly by the NSA, the FBI and security agencies in several allied nations.

“To defend against and mitigate these threats, at-risk entities should anticipate targeting,” the NSA said.

Authorities linked the activity to a Russian military intelligence unit dubbed “Fancy Bear” that is well known for its past campaigns targeting the U.S. and its allies.

The hackers used a variety of tactics to gain access, including spearphishing, which involves sending authentic-looking messages to a potential victim that contain links to harmful software or requests for sensitive information.

The Russian team also exploited security vulnerabilities in computer devices used at small and in-home offices, networks that often lack the security measures found in larger systems.

The hackers didn’t use particularly innovative techniques, according to Grant Geyer, chief strategy officer at the cybersecurity company Claroty. Nevertheless, the sprawling yet carefully orchestrated effort gives the Russians a “granular understanding” of the aid sent to Ukraine, he said.

“They have done detailed targeting across the entire supply chain to understand what equipment is moving, when and how — whether it’s by aircraft, ship or rail,” Geyer said.

Russia could use the information it obtained to hone its war planning, Geyer said, or to plot further cyber or physical attacks on the supply chain to Ukraine.

Last fall, U.S. intelligence officials issued a public bulletin directing American defense companies and suppliers to increase security precautions following several acts of sabotage in Europe that officials have blamed on Russia.

The Russian Embassy in Washington didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

National News

FILE - The community of Geismar is seen in the shadow of a chemical and petroleum industrial corrid...

Associated Press

Louisiana stifles community air monitoring with threat of million-dollar fines, federal lawsuit says

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — On days of heavy pollution in Sulphur, a southwest Louisiana town surrounded by more than 16 industrial plants, Cynthia “Cindy” Robertson once flew a red flag outside her home so her community knew they faced health hazards from high levels of soot and other pollutants. But she stopped flying the flag […]

1 hour ago

Associated Press

Reproductive rights advocates sue Arizona over laws regulating abortion

PHOENIX (AP) — Reproductive rights advocates sued Arizona on Thursday to unravel several laws regulating abortion in the state. The lawsuit was filed by two providers in the state and the Arizona Medical Association. It comes more than six months after voters enshrined in the state constitution access to abortions up to fetal viability, which […]

2 hours ago

FILE - This June 22, 2019, file photo shows the exterior of the New York Times building in New York...

Associated Press

Indigenous Amazon tribe says New York Times story led to its members being smeared as porn addicts

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An Indigenous tribe from the Brazilian Amazon has sued The New York Times, saying the newspaper’s reporting on the tribe’s first exposure to the internet led to its members being widely portrayed as technology-addled and addicted to pornography. The Marubo Tribe of the Javari Valley, a sovereign community of about 2,000 […]

2 hours ago

Associated Press

Alaska city reaches $2.1M settlement with family of a 16-year-old fatally shot by a police officer

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska’s largest city has reached a $2.1 million settlement with the family of a 16-year-old girl who was holding a knife last August when she was fatally shot by a police officer. Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s office said in a statement Thursday the settlement followed a meeting between Police Chief Sean […]

2 hours ago

FILE - The Harvard University logo is displayed on a building at the school, Tuesday, April 15, 202...

Associated Press

How the Trump administration’s move will affect Harvard’s international students

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration escalated its standoff with Harvard University on Thursday, revoking the school’s ability to enroll international students. The government told Harvard’s thousands of current foreign students that they must transfer to other schools or they will lose their legal permission to be in the U.S. The move could significantly […]

3 hours ago

FILE - Then-Central Florida athletic director Danny White stands on the sideline at the team's NCAA...

Associated Press

Tennessee athletic director says collective bargaining with athletes the only solution amid chaos

Tennessee athletic director Danny White said the only solution to the real problem in college sports right now is collective bargaining with athletes. “It’s a real issue,” White said an interview with Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman, who shared the video on social media Thursday. “I’ll say it. We got a camera on us. I don’t […]

4 hours ago

Russian hackers target Western firms shipping aid to Ukraine, US intelligence says