tl;dr
Norwegian counter-intelligence authorities accused Russian hackers of taking control of a hydropower dam in Western Norway, releasing water through a flood gate over four hours earlier this year. The attack was detected and stopped without harm. Beate Gangas, director of the Norwegian Police Securit...
Norwegian counter-intelligence authorities have accused Russian hackers of taking control of a hydropower dam in Norway earlier this year. According to Norwegian officials, hackers gained control of a flood gate and released 132 gallons of water per second over a four-hour period at a dam located in Western Norway. Fortunately, the attack was detected and stopped before causing any harm.
Beate Gangas, director of the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST), linked the attack to pro-Russian hackers during a recent speech. She emphasized that the purpose of such operations is to influence public perception, incite fear, and create chaos among the population. “Our Russian neighbor has become more dangerous,” she stated, highlighting the strategic risks given Norway's reliance on hydropower for electricity.
In contrast, the Russian embassy in Norway dismissed Gangas' accusations as “unfounded and politically motivated.” They accused PST of fabricating the threat of Russian sabotage against Norwegian infrastructure, referencing the annual report issued in February that mentioned such threats.
Adding to the broader context, Richard Moore, the outgoing chief of the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service, warned of Russian hacking campaigns in Europe. He described the efforts as recklessly aggressive sabotage, designed to spread fear amid nuclear threats and to undermine the West’s support for Ukraine. This highlights the increasing geopolitical tension surrounding cyber warfare targeting critical infrastructure.