Estonia thwarts massive DDoS attacks claimed by pro‑Kremlin hackers

"Thanks to prompt responses, the attacks barely affected the functioning of our institutions," the newspaper highlighted.

The Estonian Information System Authority (RIA) disclosed on Monday that several public sector websites were targeted on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the affected were the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), the customs and tax office, and the Ministry of Justice. These institutions endured the most severe attacks, as underscored by the RIA.

"Recent years' preventive measures have usually made DDoS attacks either imperceptible or minimally disruptive. The rapid and effective response this weekend proved successful, with nearly three billion malicious access requests managed," stated the RIA representatives.

The RIA also noted that cyberattacks on both public and private sector websites in Estonia have surged since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Pro-Kremlin hacker groups frequently claimed responsibility for these attacks, including those from the last weekend," the Estonian office reported.