The Russo-Ukrainian War: How it's Being Waged Online
Contemporary society has produced a new variant of war that is perhaps a more deadly threat than any weapon in a conventional arsenal. On February 24th 2022 Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the largest military attack seen in Europe since WWII. Whilst news reports primarily focus on conventional conflict on the ground, another battle is taking place behind the scenes that is redefining modern warfare. Is it possible to wage and win a cyber-war?
The long-awaited departure of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych in 2014 marked the beginning of Russia’s well-planned military aggression against Ukraine. The fundamental, abridged aim of this attack is to undermine and destroy Ukraine as an independent state for Vladimir Putin to take control of the country. To camouflage his true intentions, Putin and Russian state media spread claims that Ukraine had been taken over by extremists to justify the deployment of Russian troops close to the Ukrainian border. Tensions have continued to rise for years and with Ukraine desiring to join the European Union and NATO, war was declared. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine believe Russia wanted to destabilize Ukraine because “a democratic and prosperous Ukraine is a threat to the current authoritarian rule in Russia,” and because Putin needs to dominate the country in order to become a more powerful world leader. There are a multitude of events that have contributed to this global shake-up and cyber-attacks are being used to covertly alter the political landscape.
The idea that a war is being fought on phones and laptops around the world as well as physically on the streets of Ukraine is both frightening and fascinating. The internet is perhaps one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century but its capacity for harm has branded it as the most powerful weapon the world will ever see. This formidable creation is globalising local wars. It is difficult to objectively determine whether its benefits outweigh its flaws and if it is ethically and morally correct to fight a war virtually. The Russo-Ukrainian cyber-war has a few major players who will dictate its outcome: Russia, Ukraine and ‘Big Tech’ companies.
Cyber-attacks are taking place on both sides. There are claims of hacking against Ukraine, with denial-of-service attacks and ransomware targeting government websites. Microsoft confirmed the presence of “wiper malware – intended to be destructive and designed to render targeted devices inoperable,” across government, technology and non-profit divisions, emphasising the hybrid nature of Russia’s attack. Russia is known for practicing hacking as part of their amalgam advances, as seen in previous claims of Russian special services interfering in the US presidential election campaign in 2016, and it is therefore unsurprising that they are the main proprietor of cyber-attacks in this war. Fighting against Russia, the hacking collective ‘The Anonymous’ has reportedly targeted Russian state TV channels to display pro-Ukraine content. Officials at the National Cyber Security Centre in the UK suggest cyber has played a small role in the conflict so far, but with pressure mounting as Russian forces move closer to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, there is no doubt the digital war could escalate further.
‘Big Tech’ companies are showing support for Ukraine by monitoring information flow and altering privacy restrictions. Google has banned Russian state media from using its tools to sell adverts and YouTube is denying income to several Russian channels to limit the exposure of their notions and display active discontent to pro-Russian sentiment. Similarly, Facebook and Twitter are removing state-affiliated Russian media and disinformation from their sites. These limitations fall in line with the sanctions imposed on Russia by the governments of the world and many people feel it is the moral imperative of these technology companies to be involved in a geopolitical digital war, but are they severe enough to cause serious ramifications for Russia?
Powerhouse countries such as the USA have responded to Putin’s threats and the possibility of becoming involved in the cyber-war with assurance and readiness. President Joe Biden warned Russia that the US is “prepared to respond,” to any form of cyber-attack threatening key infrastructure, and the robustness of cyber-defences around the world mean Russia is less eager to throw the first catastrophic digital stone. The consequences of an online war would far outlast the physical devastation of the battle. Modern day society relies on digital infrastructure to keep the world turning, and the repercussions of this developing cyber-war would not only be destructive for Ukraine, but the rest of the world too. The advancement of computer systems is both a blessing and a curse in situations of conflict – both sides understand that they will be engaging in mutually assured destruction if a comprehensive cyber-war is established.
The Russo-Ukrainian war has already caused an overwhelming loss of human life and unnecessary chaos in the lives of ordinary people. This attack on Ukraine is shameful, unprovoked and violates several international laws, including those established by the United Nations. As the rest of the world declares solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people show unparalleled courage and strength to fight to keep their freedom, the potential for a world-wide cyber battle is eminent. A cyber-war is taking place that is more dangerous than Putin’s tanks and unfortunately, the only action to be taken, is to stay tuned for what happens next.
Image courtesy of Georgia National Guard via Wikimedia, ©2014, some rights reserved.
