Spanish police announced on Saturday that they have arrested three pro-Russian hackers in connection with alleged cyberattacks targeting Spain and other NATO nations for terrorist motives. According to the Civil Guard, the individuals are suspected of involvement in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks aimed at public institutions and critical sectors. The identities of the suspects were not disclosed, and it is unclear whether they have been formally charged or are under detention.
The cyberattacks are reported to have targeted websites of public and private entities in government sectors, critical infrastructure, and essential services in nations supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The police also shared a video on the social media platform X showing a raid at one of the suspects’ homes, where a Soviet-era hammer and sickle flag was displayed on a wall.
The Civil Guard stated, “These cyberattacks were orchestrated by the hacktivist group NoName057(16), which emerged following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has been notably active. In their founding manifesto, the group admits they ‘will respond proportionately to the hostile and overtly anti-Russian actions of Western Russophobes.'”
According to police, the arrests occurred in Manacor on the Balearic Island of Mallorca, as well as in Huelva and Seville in southern Spain. The investigation is still ongoing, they added.