Ukrainian hackers infiltrate Russian media system "Katyusha"
8:31 PM EST, November 27, 2023
Ukrainian hackers have infiltrated the Russian online media monitoring and analytics system, "Katyusha", which is used to gather information about mass media activities.
The network of the Department of Information and Mass Communication of the Russian Ministry of Defense, lead by Igor Konashenkov, was compromised by Ukrainian hackers. They accessed the Russian media monitoring and analysis system "Katyusha", according to intelligence community InformNapalm, who gathered their information from the Cyber Resistance hacker group.
According to hackers, Konashenkov's department and press services regularly analyze the Russian Federation's information landscape.
"Every bit of news related to the activities of the Russian Armed Forces is scrutinized in numerous reports. Content from foreign media is also singled out for separate analysis," they reveal while delving into the discovered information from the Russian system.
InformNapalm has released examples of "daily media reviews" prepared by the Russian Department.
The community notes that a report detailing the distribution of materials and the progress of its operational plan is delivered weekly to Konashenkov for approval. This report, in conjunction with a forecast of the upcoming week's narrative of information in the Russian Armed Forces and a weekly printed media report, is subsequently dispatched to each head of press services in districts, military units, fleets, etc.
Inside the workings of the Russian propaganda system
The "Katyusha" system is designed for the purpose of compiling information on media activities. InformNapalm stated that hackers not only gained access to this system, but also analyzed its functions and properties.
"This software is utilized within several Russian administrative bodies - the President's administration, the government, ministries and federal departments, state regional executive bodies, commercial law companies, and public organizations. In 2021, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation bought a license to use 'Katyusha', allocating 320 million rubles [approximately $4.3 million USD] for it, with its license running through 2023," according to the hackers' report.
This system allows Russians to conduct continuous analysis of messages regarding the Russian Federation originating from foreign media and social networking sites, such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
