An unnamed Bitcoin user reportedly hacked hundreds of wallets purportedly controlled by Russian security services, stealing coins and sending them to addresses belonging to Ukrainian volunteers engaged in the war. According to a now-deleted report by on-chain data analysis firm, Chainalysis, from Feb. 12, 2022, to March 14, 2022, a mysterious user reportedly accessed close to 1,000 bitcoin (BTC) addresses he claimed belonged to Russia’s security services.
The hacker used a feature on the Bitcoin network called OP_RETURN, a function that allows users to broadcast messages and have them permanently recorded. Initially, the hacker aimed to burn coins stolen from Russia’s security services. However, after Russia invaded Ukraine, the hacker changed tactics and began channeling funds to pro-Ukrainian groups engaged in the war. It is alleged that the user also sent accusatory messages in Russian to coin owners.
Security specialists are convinced that Russia’s intelligence services frequently use hackers for various missions, though these rumors remain unconfirmed. Chainalysis reported connections between at least three of the hacked wallets and Russia, with one paying for servers in Russia’s disinformation operation during the 2016 United States presidential elections and two linked to the SolarWinds attack.
The data analysis firm claimed that the attacker might not have hacked the wallets but instead conducted an inside job, possibly as a former or current employee of the Russian intelligence services. This raises concerns about the security of Russia’s crypto operations.
Not only did the hacker’s actions prevent Russia’s intelligence services from accessing the coins, but it also made it more challenging for them to reuse the same addresses in future operations. This incident highlights the potential vulnerabilities within crypto operations, even those tied to powerful entities like Russia’s security services.
On the one hand, the hacker’s actions served to disrupt Russia’s intelligence services’ capabilities and support Ukraine’s cause. On the other hand, the possibility of an inside job raises questions about the integrity of those involved in this incident.
In conclusion, this hacker heist raises both concerns and motives for the crypto world. While it highlights the vulnerabilities associated with cryptocurrencies and the entities controlling them, it also showcases how these digital assets can be employed in modern warfare and tactical operations. The main conflict arises from the unknown origin of the hacker, whether it was a genuine effort to support Ukraine’s cause or an inside job.
Source: crypto.news
Hacker reportedly steals bitcoin from Russia’s intelligence services
