Norway Confirms Dam Intrusion by Pro-Russian Hackers

Norway Confirms Dam Intrusion by Pro-Russian Hackers

Norway's security service PST has confirmed that pro-Russian hackers took over a dam in April, opening outflow valves and releasing 500 liters of water per second for four hours before being stopped.

The attack occurred on April 7 at a dam in Bremanger, western Norway. The attackers managed to seize control of the dam's systems, causing significant disruption to the region. However, fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

According to PST chief Beate Gangås, the attack was intended to demonstrate the hackers' capabilities and create fear among the general population rather than cause destruction. "The aim of this type of operation is to influence and cause fear and chaos among the general population," she said.

Gangås noted that over the past year, pro-Russian cyber actors have increased their activity in Norway. The PST chief warned that these attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using hybrid tactics such as subversion, influence, polarization, and covert intelligence to weaken Norway without direct acts of war.

Intelligence chief Nils Andreas Stensønes has described Russia as Norway's biggest and most unpredictable threat. While neither he nor PST expects direct interference in this autumn's elections, they remain vigilant and continue to monitor the situation closely.

The Russian embassy in Oslo has dismissed Gangås' claims as unfounded and politically driven, accusing Norway's PST of fabricating a "mythical" Russian sabotage threat.

Pro-Russian hackers have been linked to several actions in Europe since late 2023, including sabotage and arson plots aimed at spreading unrest and mapping vulnerabilities. The PST is working closely with other agencies to stay ahead of these threats and protect Norway's critical infrastructure.

In June, Norway's Criminal Investigation Service Kripos confirmed the dam intrusion after pro-Russian hacktivists posted a three-minute video on Telegram showing its control panel, bearing the group's watermark.