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Big Russian port operator says its systems were targeted by foreign hackers

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 13, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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Big Russian port operator says its systems were targeted by foreign hackers
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MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's Port Alliance group, which operates a network of sea cargo terminals, said on Thursday that foreign hackers had targeted its systems over three days in a distributed denial

Russian Port Operator Reports Cyberattack by Foreign Hackers

Overview of the Cyberattack on Port Alliance

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's Port Alliance group, which operates a network of sea cargo terminals, said on Thursday that foreign hackers had targeted its systems over three days in a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack and an attempted hack.

Details of the Attack

It said in a statement that critical elements of its digital infrastructure had been targeted with the aim of disrupting export shipments of coal and mineral fertilisers at its sea terminals in the Baltic, Black Sea, Far East and Arctic regions.

Response and Impact on Operations

The attack was successfully repelled and operations remained unaffected, Port Alliance said.

Context of Cyber Threats in Russia

Denial of service is among the web's most basic form of attack and it works by simply overwhelming targeted servers with a firehose of bogus requests for data, making it impossible for legitimate web traffic to get through.

Russian authorities and state companies have regularly reported attempted DDoS and hacking attacks from abroad since Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022. Ukraine and some Western countries have in turn accused Russia of launching cyberattacks.

Port Alliance group operates cargo terminals at five Russian ports.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Gleb Stolyarov and Anton Kolodyazhnyy; Editing by Andrew Osborn)

Key Takeaways

  • Port Alliance faced a cyberattack by foreign hackers.
  • The attack aimed to disrupt coal and fertilizer exports.
  • Operations were unaffected despite the attack.
  • Russia frequently reports foreign cyber threats.
  • The attack involved a DDoS and attempted hack.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cyberattack?
A cyberattack is an attempt to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or devices. It can include various tactics such as malware, phishing, and denial-of-service attacks.
What is a DDoS attack?
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic.
What is cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. It involves implementing measures to safeguard data and ensure the integrity of information.
What is risk management?
Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling threats to an organization's capital and earnings. It involves strategies to minimize potential risks and their impact.

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